An increase in car insurance rates in the past few years have been attributed to various factors such as accidents, and the failure of car owners to repair the damaged cars on time, hence making the insurance costs higher than before. The good thing, however, is the fact that the high costs associated with insurance can be reduced by making use of the following points.
Driving Safely
Careful driving may protect one from being involved in accidents and traffic violation. Good driving helps keep insurance rates low. The notion behind this argument is based on the fact that over speeding may increase car insurance rates by 11-13% depending on your state laws.
Bundling with Home Insurance
This means buying more than one insurance policy from one insurance company. For example, you can purchase a homeowner and car insurance at a go. According to American Insurance, most insurance companies provide discounts for other insurance policy, as long as the buyer has decided to bundle the policies. On the other hand, most homeowners file fewer claims hence getting cheaper rates. Customers who bundle insurance policies can also renew their policies and enjoy the benefits of homeowners by filling fewer claims on their auto insurance policies.
Paying Discounts in Full
When the owner of the car makes full payments on his car insurance and policy premium on time, they get a discount of about 5-10% depending on the insurance company. This helps them obtain lower insurance rates from the company in the future.
Maximizing Auto Insurance Discounts
Insurers observe that drivers with specific characteristics such as good driving behavior and operating a vehicle with the best safety features tend to have fewer accidents and file fewer claims. Therefore, customers with such characters are rewarded by the insurer by paying less on their premiums. Additionally, driving less may qualify a car owner for a low mileage discount on their auto insurance ranging from 5-30%. According to various car insurance companies, like auto insurance in NC having safety features, such as anti-theft devices, may get one an insurance discount. This is based on the fact that these safety features reduce the chances of a car from being stolen.
Acquiring Defensive Driving Courses
To earn lower insurance rates, one might take traffic classes as insurers offer 5-15% on liability and collision coverage for up to three years. These classes are offered for four to six hours, either in person, online, and sometimes both. Many are the times these safety classes could deduct you points from minor traffic violations or give you a discount. Therefore, consider these courses and the insurance company name prior to seeking insurance services.
Checking Your Credit Reports
Most auto insurance companies evaluate a person’s credit history before issuing out an insurance cover. When a person pays their bills on time, can maintain a good credit history, and can keep their auto insurance rates low, the car insurance company increases their car insurance rates. Therefore most car owners are advised to maintain a solid credit history to avoid being charged high rates.
Purchasing a Safe Car
When a car has fewer accidents cases, the lower the rates of insurance. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, most cars are rated on risk scales for auto insurance purposes. The safer your car, the higher the chances of getting better insurance rates.
Avoid Comprehensive and Collision Covers
If you don't own a new car, then there is no need to get a comprehensive and collision insurance plan. The notion behind this argument is based on the fact that the older your car, the higher the insurance will charge you. This is usually the case especially if your car is more than ten years old.
Comparing Car Insurance Plans Online
Different car insurance companies usually charge different amounts for a policy. It is therefore advisable to search online and make a sound decision after comparing various plans. You can easily do this with a free service to compare car insurance quotes so that you get multiple options to find the best one.
Increasing One's Deductibles
When a person raises their deductibles, their premiums decreases. A deductible is an amount paid before an insurance kicks in.