Your auto insurance policy doesn’t just protect your car. It also protects your health and finances, as well as protecting other drivers and their vehicles. Choosing a policy is a long process; it’s important to make sure it covers everything you need it to. Using the following tips, you can get an affordable insurance plan that provides all the coverage you need.
When your children leave home permanently, take them off your auto insurance policy. It can be hard to accept, but once your children move out, they’re adults and responsible for their own insurance. Removing them from your insurance policy will save you a significant amount of money over the course of the policy.
Some auto insurance companies have streamlined claims service for glass replacement. If you’re shopping for new coverage, don’t overlook this benefit. Depending on the carrier, you may have your deductible waived, meaning your glass can be repaired or replaced at no expense to you and your insurer may even send the glass company to your home or workplace to make it extra easy.
Never inflate your vehicle’s value when you sign up for insurance. Doing this only costs you more money, in the form of higher premiums. In the case that you would need a replacement vehicle, the insurance company would only use their value for your original car, not what you initially quoted them.
Only allow repair companies to use quality parts on your vehicle. Some repair shops will attempt to charge your insurance company for high-priced parts while actually giving you lower quality ones. Double check to make sure you are getting the highest quality parts that go with your vehicle, because that is what the insurance company will be charged for anyway.
See if your insurance company offers or accepts 3rd party driving tests that show your safety and skills in driving. The safer you drive the less of a risk you are and your insurance premiums should reflect that. Ask your agent if you can receive a discount for proving you are a safe driver.
If you’re planning to, or just got married, call your insurance company for a discount. Drivers who are married tend to drive more safely, especially if they have children in the car. Insurance companies often will give you a discount once you tie the knot, due to your better driving.
Before purchasing a car, check the insurance rates that come with it. The premium amount varies between different vehicles. This is because some vehicles are more accident prone than others. Also, if is is appropriate try to stay clear of purchasing trucks or SUVs. Insurance rates are much higher on them.
If you are a part of an employee group or an alumni association, you could get a discount on your auto insurance. Ask about benefits when you join a group or an association. You should get discount with only one company, but you should still compare quotes in case there is an even cheaper or better insurance out there.
You should not let your insurance coverage lapse. If you are not able to pay for your insurance policy in full, you should call and talk to an agent. If you allow the policy to lapse it is very possible that you will not have coverage should an accident take place. That is a big risk that can be avoided by making a simple phone call.
Every state has specific legal requirements for minimum auto insurance. Property damage and bodily injury liability are the usual requirements. Ensuring that a driver’s insurance meets these requirements is the driver’s responsibility, not the insurance company’s. Wise drivers research their local insurance laws and learn their legal minimums, to ensure that they get proper coverage.
Before you call your insurance company to change your car insurance policy, remember to check with your financier. Many auto loans come with certain insurance requirements. It is all too easy to overlook these requirements when you go bargain-hunting. If you do, an insurance claim may end up landing you in hot water with the financier holding the note on your car.
Know how having different vehicles affect your auto insurance rates. The better a car’s safety rating, the lower the insurance premiums tend to be. Insurance rates tend to be high for sports cars and SUVs. Insurance rates for these types of vehicles can vary wildly between providers based on their own company experience.
Cut your insurance rates by dropping any uneccessary coverage. If you drive an older model car that is not worth more than a few thousand dollars, you can drop collision coverage. Collision coverage pays to repair your car, but only up to its replacement value, which isn’t much if the car’s only worth a few grand. Comprehensive coverage works the same way, and covers car loss or damage due to fire, vandalism or theft. Compare the cost to replace your older car with the cost to maintain the insurance — it might not be worth it.
If you are traveling by car to either Mexico or Canada, be sure to speak with your auto insurance company in advance about your coverage. In many cases, your coverage stops at the border or within a few miles of the border. If you were to get into an accident beyond that point, your insurance company would be unable to help you.
Auto insurance can be a tough choice these days, especially with all of the television commercials claiming to save you hundreds a year if you switch your service to them. One of the best ways to find the cheapest for you is to use a website dedicated to just that. Using a search engine, you can quickly find a website that takes your information and then gives you quotes from several insurance companies. This will let you see on one page the prices and benefits of the companies you are looking at trying.
Use the information in this article to decide if you have the best policy. If your circumstances have changed, then you are likely paying too much for insurance. Make sure you check out your policy to see what is there.
