Tips For Cutting Your Insurance Premiums
If you drive, then you need car insurance. Holding insurance protects you against liability should you be involved in an accident and it helps to pay for the minor dents and dings that are an unfortunate fact of life for car owners. Your insurance premiums don't have to be a burden, however, and it isn't necessary to sacrifice important coverage to keep your premiums under control. There are several steps you can take to make sure that you are getting the best rate possible.
Get Quotes At Least Once Per Year
You won't save money without a little bit of effort. Even if you are currently happy with your insurance, it's worth the time to check quotes from competitors at least once a year. You may find that you are eligible for discounts that your current insurer may not be providing you. You are never under any obligation just for getting a quote, so you can use this information to decide whether it makes sense to switch companies just to save a few bucks.
Talk to a Human Being
Online quotes are convenient, but getting the best rate often means speaking with an actual insurance agent. Speaking an insurance representative allows you to determine exactly how your rate is being calculated and also gives you the opportunity to discuss potential discounts. Even if you aren't currently eligible for every discount that your insurance company offers, there may be steps that you can take to become eligible for these discounts in the future. If you have been checking around with quotes from other insurers, talking to an agent from your current company can give you the opportunity to use those competitor's quotes to negotiate a better rate as well.
Avoid Late Payments and Lapses
It's never a good idea to miss a bill payment, but missing a payment on your insurance can be especially devastating. Insurance companies will almost always penalize you for gaps in coverage, and this is true even if you switch companies. The penalty generally increases if your insurance coverage is lapsed for more than 30 days, making it especially important to avoid long lapses. Keep in mind that you will be penalized even if the lapse is not due to a missed payment. Intentionally canceling your coverage for a month or more can have the same serious effect on your future rates.
Drive Less
Easier said than done, right? While not everyone can cut down on time spent behind the wheel, it is worth considering your alternatives if possible. Most insurance companies offer discounted rates for vehicles that aren't used for daily commutes. The savings for insuring a car as a pleasure or recreational vehicle can be significant, and this doesn't mean that you have to stop driving. In general, the only requirement is that you don't commute with your car. This means there are potentially huge savings to be had if using public transport to reach work is an option.
While going without insurance coverage is never an option, with a little time, effort, and planning, you keep your insurance premiums as low as possible and still maintain the coverage that you need.
If you have more questions or are looking for auto insurance quotes, reach out to a provider.
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