When I got my kids a dog, I had no idea that it could affect my homeowners insurance. I happened to run into my insurance agent in the store when I was buying dog food and he asked me what kind of dog we had. When I told him, he said I should stop in the office the next day. I had no idea that things like this could affect premiums, so I started asking what else could do it as well. I created this site to help others understand some of the finer points of homeowners insurance and what they should think about to manage their rates.
Car insurance is necessary for everyone who wants to safely and legally operate a motor vehicle. Unfortunately, however, car insurance policies can get pretty pricey, especially if you have a less than perfect driving record, have been caught driving without insurance in the past, or have been convicted of a DUI.
No matter what your history, though, know that it is possible to get reasonably priced insurance. You just have to know a few "tricks of the trade."
All Drivers
There are a few things that all drivers can do to lower their insurance payments.
You may, for example, want to think about increasing your deductible. The deductible is the amount you are responsible for paying in the event of an accident or damage before your coverage kicks in. Raising your deductible amount does mean you'll have to pay more out of pocket if your vehicle is in an accident and/or gets damaged, but for many people, the risk is worth the lower cost.
You should also consider seeking out discounts for which you qualify and making sure that your provider is applying them to your policy. There may even be some discounts that you can make yourself eligible for. If, for example, your provider offers a discount to drivers with security features, such as car alarms, on their vehicles, investing in a car alarm may be worth it if it will save you money regularly.
Some discounts can be applied based simply on how often you drive, what you drive, and the kind of driver you are. Many providers, for example, will give "low mileage" discounts for drivers who keep their monthly mileage within an approved low range. Likewise, providers often offer discounts for those with good driving histories and/or no claims within a certain time period. You can even get a discount for features that may come standard with your vehicle, such as anti-lock brakes or airbags.
Common car insurance discounts include:
Many other discounts are available, but discounts do vary from provider to provider. Thus, your best bet is to ask your provider for a list of all available discounts.
Choosing an affordably priced provider from the start and then relentlessly going after discounts and other money saving opportunities is your best bet for spending less on car insurance.
Drivers with Special Concerns
Keep in mind that being convicted of driving without insurance, driving while intoxicated, or other driving related crimes can make it difficult to find insurance, let alone affordable insurance.
As such, you should do everything within your power to be a safe driver and to avoid letting your policy lapse. If you do make a mistake, however, your best bet is to shop around for an insurer who specializes in offering insurance to people with less than perfect histories. By comparing rates from provider to provider, which is something you should do regardless of what your driving history looks like, you can find the most reasonable rate and begin working toward building a better driving record.
If you can improve your driving record, you will find that, over time, your rates will naturally go down.
For more information, visit sites like http://www.greatnortherninsuranceagency.com.
Share23 April 2014
