If you drive an automobile, you have to carry insurance. That does not mean that all of your auto insurance options are equal, and as a matter of fact, your options are far from it. If you do your homework, you can get a better deal.
Make sure you shop around before buying your insurance. Every company is different when it comes to how they determine your premium. Use a compare car insurance site to evaluate multiple companies at once and get a lower premium.
Avoid getting any infractions on your driver's license. Any accidents or tickets will drive up the cost of your premiums. Many insurance companies reward drivers with poor records who attend a driving course.
When you are in the market for a car, check the average insurance rate of each model you are considering. Your insurance agent can let you know which cars enjoy the lowest rates. This will help you decide between a used car and a brand new car. In addition, purchasing vehicles with good safety ratings can help save a large sum of money on car insurance.
Many states will require that you have liability insurance, at minimum, if you own a car. It is up to you to know what type of insurance is the minimum required by your state. You are breaking the law if you drive uninsured.
The notion that car insurance premiums drop instantly when a driver reaches age 25 is a common misconception. However, if they are a good driver, a young person's insurance rates start dropping at the age of 18.
Your monthly insurance cost is determined by the kind of truck or car that you buy. If your tastes lead you towards a luxurious car, the numbers on your insurance bill will rise accordingly. Choose a vehicle that's safe and modest to receive the lowest insurance rates.
You do not have to switch cars to keep the premiums low. You can get a better premium rate if you have just one person listed as the registered driver for a particular vehicle.
Purchase property damage liability when you buy your car insurance. That will ensure that damage caused by your car in an accident is covered. 47 states require you to buy this type of insurance. This sort of insurance will protect you if you are involved in a crash.
If your family includes teenage drivers, don't buy them their own cars. Instead, have your teen share a car with other family members. It will be much less expensive to add your teenage driver to your existing insurance plan, too. Many insurance companies offer discounts to students who consistently achieve good grades.
Make a detailed checklist of the discounts that the insurance company offers, then tick off all the ones that you qualify for. You may find that you can save an amazing amount of money by taking advantage of discounts.
Remember, not all insurance covers other uninsured drivers. This is something you will really want to consider since it increases the price that you will pay. It will also give you more protection if you are hit by an uninsured driver.
Think about paying for your whole insurance policy at once. Certain companies will make you pay a fee if you decide to make monthly payments. You might want to try to save a little bit of money before your bill is due so that you can have it available once you do get your bill.
Increase your FICO credit score to get cheaper auto insurance rates. Auto insurance agencies will go through your credit report. Statistically, those with poor credit scores often get into accidents more often. Keep your insurance rates low by maintaining a respectable credit score.
There are ways to lower your car insurance rate, if the high amount is due to a less-than-perfect driving record. For instance, some insurance companies will lower your rate after you successfully complete a driving course after experiencing an accident or a ticket. Other companies, like Progressive, now offer customers the option of temporarily installing a chip into their car which monitors their everyday driving habits; if those habits demonstrate consistently responsible driving, then your rate will be lowered.
Car insurance rates can greatly vary in price and coverage. This is not just a matter of different circumstances and different cars. There are some who get even better coverage for a smaller investment. Just learn tricks of the trade to save some money.