Affordable auto Insurance Today
Here are some tips for cutting auto insurance costs.
1. Shop around
Get auto insurance quotes from several insurance companies and compare prices. It takes only a few minutes online, and it could save you a bundle. A 2015 NerdWallet analysis of car insurance quotes nationwide found that drivers could save an average of $859 a year by shopping around for the best rates.
First, though, decide the amount and coverage you need and the deductible. Then compare prices for that same amount and type of coverage across carriers.
2. Ask about discounts
Once you choose an auto insurance company, get all the discounts you can. The types and amounts of available discounts vary by insurer. Here are some common ones that might apply to you:
- Multipolicy: Most companies give you a discount for buying more than one policy from them, such as a home and auto insurance bundle.
- Safety features: The most common features that qualify for discounts are anti-lock brakes, air bags and electronic stability control systems.
- Going paperless: Some insurers give you a discount for signing up for coverage online and for choosing electronic documents.
- Paying in full: You usually pay less if you pay in full for six or 12 months of coverage than if you pay monthly.
Remember, though, discounts don’t tell the whole story. A company that touts big discounts might have a high starting price, which means it will still charge more than a company with low overall prices.
3. Check out usage-based insurance
Usage-based auto insurance programs, such as Progressive’s Snapshot or Allstate’s Drivewise, base part of the price on how you drive. The programs use smartphone apps or plug-in devices to track mileage and certain driving behaviors. You can save money by avoiding the habits insurers consider risky, such as hard stops and late-night driving.
If you don’t drive much, you might want to consider a pay-per-mile program, such as Metromile or Esurance Pay Per Mile. Both programs say they can save money for customers who drive fewer than 10,000 miles a year.
4. Pay your bills on time and manage credit wisely
Most insurance companies consider your credit when setting rates. To gauge how well you handle credit, insurance companies consult your credit-based insurance score. It’s different from the credit score a lender sees, but it’s based on some of the same factors. FICO, which calculates the scores for some insurers, says these are the best things you can do to improve your credit for lower insurance rates:eastinc@edge.net
- Make all your credit card and loan payments on time. Your bill-paying history counts more than any other factor.
- Pay down your credit card balances, and keep the balances well below the credit limits.
- Apply only for loans and credit cards you really need. Avoid applying for retail store credit cards just to get discounts.Insurance, Tailored to your needs
5. Drive a cheap-to-insure car
The cars that are cheapest to insure are kind of like your great-aunt’s sensible shoes: They’re practical and unsexy. That doesn’t mean you have to buy a minivan — although minivans are among the cheapest vehicles to insure — but it does mean considering insurance costs when you shop for a car.
If you’re thinking about buying or leasing, run car insurance quotes for your favorite models to narrow the choices. You can use an online car insurance comparison tool to get started.
Your work isn’t over once you’ve found the best auto insurance deal and bought a policy. Prices and circumstances change. Get quotes at policy renewal time to make sure you’re still getting the best price for the coverage, and don’t be afraid to change carriers if another offers you a better deal.
Vehicle insurance (also known as car insurance, motor insurance or auto insurance) is insurance for cars, trucks, motorcycles, and other road vehicles. Its primary use is to provide financial protection against physical damage or bodily injury resulting from traffic collisions and against liability that could also arise from incidents in a vehicle. Vehicle insurance may additionally offer financial protection against theft of the vehicle, and against damage to the vehicle sustained from events other than traffic collisions, such as keying, weather or natural disasters, and damage sustained by colliding with stationary objects. The specific terms of vehicle insurance vary with legal regulations in each region.