5 Easy Steps to Finding Inexpensive Car Insurance

Dec 3
07:45

2009

David Deffenbaugh

David Deffenbaugh

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Everyone is looking to save money. Many people just don't think that it is possible to do so with their auto insurance. Learn 5 easy steps to accomplishing just that. Here is help to find inexpensive car insurance.

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It seems to be the “popular” theme among car insurance company television ads: showing us that we can save money by switching insurance companies (to theirs,5 Easy Steps to Finding Inexpensive Car Insurance Articles of course).  This is based on a simple reality, and that is, many people are paying more their car insurance than they have to.  In spite of what the commercials say, there is more to it than changing insurance carriers to “this” company or “that” company.  Here are 5 steps to finding the most inexpensive car insurance.

1. Be willing to shop around
It is true that most people are hesitant to change their insurance company.  They may think it is too much of a hassle.  It really is easier than you think.  And the temporary inconvenience is well worth the money you can save every month. 

All insurance companies are not created equal.  Be sure that as you shop you are comparing “apples to apples,” that is, make sure your comparisons are for comparable coverage. 

2. Look for discounts
What discounts are available through the various insurance carriers you are considering?  Discounts can be available for all sorts of reasons.  Insurance companies even consider things like your occupation.  If drivers of your same occupation (as a group) tend to have few accidents, you may get discounted insurance for a being a part of that group.

Other discounts may be provided for things like
• being a member of a professional organization (like AAA)
• combining coverage (if you have your homeowners and car insurance with the same company)
• policy renewal, (have you been with the same company for several years and not had a claim?  They like you – think about it.)
• and so on. 

Be sure and specifically ask about discounts for which you may be eligible.

3. Keep a good driving record
In the long run, one of the best ways to save money is to be the kind of driver that insurance companies like – a safe, law-abiding driver.  Consider your own driving habits.  Nothing motivates quite like money, and good driving habits could end up saving you hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars. The bottom line is that you have control over one of the biggest factors involved in lowering your car insurance rates.

4. Choose your car wisely
I know that cost of insurance isn’t one of the first things we think about when we are shopping for a new (or new to us) vehicle.  The fact is, though, the car you choose can end up costing you more, or saving you money every month. 

Certain features (like anti lock brakes, airbags, and automatic seat belts) may qualify you and you vehicle for lower insurance rates.  Some states even require insurance companies to provide discounts for certain safety features on the cars insured.  It’s worth asking about.

Another consideration here is that expensive, high-performance cars are the most expensive to insure.  One is repair cost, but the other is the likelihood of being stolen.  These factors result in higher insurance costs.

5. Take on more risk
One of the most dramatic ways to reduce insurance costs is to take on more risk.  Two ways this can be done.  First, if you’re driving an older car, you could end up spending more to insure the car than it is actually worth. If so, it’s likely time to drop the collision insurance.

Second, you may wish to raise your deductible.  A $500 deductible is pretty standard (that means you would pay the first $500 of any covered repair before your insurance begins to pay).  Raising the deductible to $1,000 could reduce the monthly premium by as much as 30%.