Ways to Save on Your Car Insurance
Insurance is something every driver has to have, and it’s a big item in most people’s monthly budgets. The good news about car insurance is, there are many ways you can reduce your monthly premiums. If you own more than one vehicle, for example, or if you also insure your life or your house, you might get your insurance company to “bundle” your coverage. Bundled coverage provides all your policies, or at least several of your policies, from the same company. Understandably, insurers offer discounts to encourage you to get as much of your coverage as possible from them. Not only do bundled policies cost less, it’s also easier to manage your claims and billing by doing all your business with just one company.
Another easy method of lowering your auto insurance premiums is choosing a higher deductible. Raising your deductible always saves you money, but there is a catch: You absolutely must have the funds on hand to cover your deductible if you suffer a loss.
It’s always a good idea to get premium quotes from more than one insurer. Companies frequently offer you a better deal once they learn you are checking out going with their competition.
If you are a senior, a student, a member of AARP, in the military, over 25, or a woman, you may get a price break on your auto insurance. Make sure you choose policies that reward you for being in one of these categories.
You can save even more money on your premiums by taking driver education or defensive driving. You will have to save the certificate you get for completing the course, but when you present it you may get as much as 10 per cent off your policy for the next two year?a sizeable saving for a few hours in a class.
Where you keep your car at night also has a big impact on how you pay for your auto insurance. Drivers who live in small towns pay less than drivers who live in big cities. Drivers who live in low-risk areas pay less than drivers who live in high-risk areas. Every company rates risk differently, so ask around if you are paying extra on your policy just because of where you live.
If you own a sports car, racing car, or customized car, you might consider trading it in. Anything “special” about a car makes it more expensive to replace, and therefore more expensive to insure. But if you trade in (or trade down) for a vehicle that is not as expensive to replace, it won’t be as expensive to insure, either. See your agent for details.
Finally, if you can’t find a discount from the list above, ask your authorized insurance agent. Many insurance companies have their own programs that help you lower your costs down to an affordable level. Whatever your personal insurance needs may be, your professional insurance agent can work with you to get exactly the coverage you need.
Tom Martens is the content syndication coordinator for Carinsurancesa.co.za. South Arica?s leading car insurance portal.