10 Simple Tricks To Get Better Rates On Car Insurance

No one likes to pay the high cost of auto insurance, but it is a requirement by law, so we have no choice in the matter. But, we can choose which insurance companies we deal with, and do everything possible to get the lowest rates. These days, insurance companies are all competing with each other, and they will offer great deals when you are asking for quotes. Of course, you still have to wade through the various quotes to find the one that best suits your needs. The first thing to do is check to see if you are paying too much — which you can do by visiting this handy site. Then, consult the following tips, designed to help you get the best rates on your car insurance:

1. Get Higher Deductibles – The higher your deductible is, the lower your monthly rates will be. You can decrease your premiums by up to 30%.

2. Get Only what You Need – There is no sense in paying for coverage that you are never going to use. For instance, if you have a separate life insurance policy, you probably only need to get the minimum amount of personal injury protection in an auto policy.

3. Take a Defensive Driving Course – Many insurance companies will offer lower rates to those who have taken these courses. If you have gotten a speeding ticket or have been in an accident, taking one of these courses may keep you from losing as many points on your driver’s license, and keep your insurance rates from going up.

4. Get Less Coverage for Older Vehicles – You don’t need to have a high amount of collision or comprehensive coverage for older vehicles that aren’t worth much. If the value of your vehicle is less than 10 times your premium, it isn’t worth it.

5. Get More Coverage – Believe it or not, in some cases you can get lower premiums by getting more insurance coverage. Sometimes the minimum amount of coverage can cost more than additional coverage.

6. Shop Around – Never take the first quote you are given. You could be missing out on a much better deal from another insurance company. It is also a good idea to get quotes every few months even if you already have insurance. You never know, you could be paying more than you need to.

7. Don’t Let Your Coverage Lapse – If you let your coverage lapse, you will be charged a higher rate when you get a new policy.

8. Get a Safer Vehicle – The more safety features your vehicle has, the less your insurance is going to cost. Safe cars are easier to insure than high performance vehicles. Take advantage of safety packages when you are buying a new vehicle.

9. Watch Your Credit Score – The better your credit score, the lower your insurance rates are going to be. This is because you won’t be considered a high risk.

10. Drive Safely – It always pays to be a safe driver and follow the rules of the road. When you have a clean driving record, insurance companies will reward you with lower rates.

11. Install Anti-Theft Devices – When you take steps to keep your vehicle from being stolen, such as by adding an alarm system, insurers are going to offer lower premiums. It also helps to lower the rates if you keep your vehicle in a locked garage at night.

12. Combine Insurance Policies – If you have home and life insurance, you can combine these policies with your auto insurance policy to save money. When getting quotes, be sure to ask for rates for both combined and stand-alone policies.