Auto insurance will help pay your bills if you get into an accident. It will help pay for your car and also the other car involved if it was your fault that the accident happened. If the accident was not your fault, the other driver involved in the accident will have to have their insurance pay. You can see why it is so important to have auto insurance, and here are some tips to get you started picking the right policy.
Keep a running tab on car insurance rates every year. If you are diligent about checking your policy options with your carrier and others, you can save a lot of money on your premium. When you shop your insurance you can either find a more affordable company or prompt better savings from your current insurer.
One, less well-known way to get further discounts on auto insurance, especially if you have a teen driver around who is only going back and forth to school, is to request whether your insurance offers a discount for low mileage. If you can accurately estimate the actual mileage your teen drives and report it accurately, you will pay less.
Most people today are purchasing their auto insurance via the Internet, but you should remember not to be sucked in by a good-looking website. Having the best website in the business does not mean a company has the best insurance in the business. Compare the black and white, the details. Do not be fooled by fancy design features and bright colors.
Get liability-only coverage. This policy is the cheapest one you can get that still follows all mandatory minimum state laws. Just remember that it does not cover you or your vehicle, only the other person and their vehicle. In the event your car is damaged in some way, you would have to pay for the repairs yourself.
When adding a member of the family to your insurance plan, check and see if it may be cheaper for them to get covered separately. The general rule of thumb is that it is less expensive to add on to your policy, but if you have a high premium already they may be able to find cheaper coverage on their own.
Ask your insurance agent if your age can get you any discounts. Studies have shown that, much like fine wine, drivers tend to get better with age. Your insurance company may offer you a discount for being a long-term driver, giving you a discount each time you pass the age milestones they have set.
To make sure you’re getting fair pricing in your premiums, verify that your reported information is accurate in your policy. For example, ensure that the make/model of your vehicle is correct, the number of miles on the vehicle when you took out the policy, etc. Even your reported commuting distance is important as shorter commuting distances can have a positive effect on your premium savings.
Keep careful records when you are involved in an accident. Insurance companies need documentation and proof. If you have the opportunity, use your mobile phone or device to take pictures of the accident. It may even make sense to keep a camera in the vehicle so that you are prepared for any circumstance.
One of the best things about auto insurance is that you can purchase this insurance from state to state. It is not state-limited like health insurance is. This means you can always browse around in other states for the best deals. A lot of drivers won’t do this because they assume purchasing in-state coverage is the best way.
Before you buy a policy from an insurance agency, search the Better Business Bureau’s website to track their customer satisfaction rating. If you find that they are not up to par with other companies’ standards this will give you valuable information and help you decide if they are the right company for you.
Look for group discount rates on your auto insurance. If you belong to any kind of trade organization, or have eligibility for group rates through any kind of group, such as your employer, you may be able to get a good discount on your rates. You may need to purchase your insurance through the organization to get the discount, so ask up front.
Get a new car to save money on car insurance. The car you drive makes a lot of difference to an auto insurer. If your car is one that gets stolen often, look out for higher rates. If you buy a sporty coupe that goes very fast and gets lots of tickets, expect to pay much higher insurance premiums. Check out sites such as Kiplinger.com for lists of the cheapest cars for auto insurance.
To get a discount on your auto insurance, take into consideration all of your professional affiliations. Not only do many mass employers like Wal-Mart arrange blanket discounts for their employees, but many educational, charitable, social and religious organizations do too. When applying for or renewing your auto insurance, be sure to list all of your affiliations to qualify for these potential discounts.
Find out if you can get a discount on your car insurance premiums if you have not made any claims during the last three years. Some insurance companies will give you a special discount because you are not seen as a higher risk driver due to no recent insurance claims.
If you are a student or a senior citizen, look into discounts that specifically apply to you. Most automobile insurance companies will give a discount to students who make good grades. Their theory is that if someone is conscientious about their grades, they will also be a careful driver. In addition, older drivers are often offered a discount because of their experience in operating a vehicle.
From the explanation of auto insurance given in this article, you can see why it is so important for everyone to have auto insurance, You have been given great advice about how to get auto insurance, and now it is time for you to put this information into action and purchase the coverage for your needs.