Everyone wants the cheapest car insurance with the right coverage, but many have trouble finding affordable car insurance. Cheap auto insurance is hard to come by if you don’t know what you can do to lower the car insurance quotes you’re getting from providers. Luckily, there are a few tips, tricks, and guidelines you can follow to get cheap auto insurance.
1. Shop Around
You shouldn’t assume that one particular insurance provider is cheaper than the others. Do some legwork and compare car insurance quotes from multiple insurance companies. This will help you make a decision based on the numbers rather than fancy advertising.
2. Check Out Local/Regional Insurance Providers
While large national providers could provide affordable car insurance plans, your local or regional car insurance companies are too often overlooked. Many local insurance providers could be offering cheap auto insurance coverage without you knowing about it. It is important to compare car insurance rates between your regional providers and national companies to see if your local provider can cut you a better deal. Local insurance companies also tend to have higher customer satisfaction ratings than most big name national providers.
3. Look For a Car Insurance Discount
Some insurers can give you discounts on your total premium cost for a variety of different reasons. Ask the insurance company if they offer a car insurance discount for:
- A clean driving record
- Additional safety features such as automatic seat belts, rear seat air bags, etc.
- Security devices such as car alarms or OnStar
- Having a membership to certain clubs or partnerships affiliated with the insurance company
- Paying the entire premium at once
- Having a private garage/off-street parking to deter thieves
- Being a student
- Passing an advanced driving course
- Being retired
Investigate and see what possible discounts could be applied to your policy and talk to the insurance agent to see what else their company can offer.
4. Bundle Your Insurance Policies
If you have more than one car that needs affordable car insurance or have need of other insurance products such as homeowners insurance or motorcycle insurance, you can usually get a discount on all of the policies if you bundle them all together. Insurance companies like covering you across the board, so see if they will offer you lower premiums if you purchase more than one plan with them.
5. Pay Your Bills On Time
It is important to pay your bills on time, not just because it is the responsible thing to do. Failing to make payments hurts your credit score, whether it is for your insurance bills, credit card bills, power bills, or anything. If you have poor credit, insurance companies will know it and may offer you a higher premium as a result. Pay your bills on time and beef up your credit score so that you can negotiate to get a lower premium.
6. If You’re Buying a Car, Factor In Insurance Costs
Whether you buy a new car or a used car, your auto insurance rates will be affected. Before you make an automobile purchase, get insurance quotes based on the vehicle you wish to buy. When you compare car insurance quotes among the types of vehicles you are looking to purchase, it can help you find both a car and an insurance policy that will fit within your budget
7. Skip the Comprehensive Coverage and Collision Coverage for Older Cars with High Mileage
If you have an older vehicle that has high mileage, the cost of the comprehensive coverage and/or collision coverage may not be worth it. In many cases, due to age and wear-and-tear of the vehicle, you may be paying a higher premium that won’t compensate you much if an accident occurs. Remember, this type of insurance coverage only pay up to the value of your car, so a clunker isn’t worth a high premium. In this case, you should opt for a liability-only plan for the cheapest car insurance coverage until you get a replacement vehicle.
8. Higher Car Insurance Deductible = Lower Car Insurance Premium
Probably the quickest way to get cheap auto insurance is to agree to pay a higher car insurance deductible. However, agreeing to a higher deductible means you’ll end up paying more out of pocket before your car insurance kicks in if you get into an accident. If you have a good driving record and are willing to risk betting on yourself, you can get a lower premium overall if you are willing to pay more when you get into a collision.
9. If You Don’t Drive Often, Consider a Usage-Based Policy
If you only use a vehicle sparingly or just for the occasional vacation drive, you can probably negotiate a lower car insurance rate. Some insurance companies can track your mileage electronically to charge your policy according to how much you drive and when you drive. Talk to an insurance agent to see if they offer usage-based insurance plans and see if you qualify. If you drive less 10,000 miles per year, this could be a great way to get cheap auto insurance coverage.
10. Stay Loyal to Your Car Insurance Provider
If you find an affordable car insurance plan, try to stay with that provider. Over time, the relationship between you and your insurance company will grow over the years. If you develop a history of making your payments on time and filing little-to-no claims, you can probably negotiate a discount with your provider based on good faith and being a loyal customer.
The best way to find cheap car insurance that fits your needs is to get a free quote from Freeway Insurance. Freeway Insurance can help you shop for the best auto insurance you can get at a price you can afford. Call (800) 777-5620 today to speak to a live agent.
