You Can Reduce Your Premiums

The biggest difference you can make is to buy a vehicle that qualifies for a discount or at least doesn't carry a surcharge. Ask your insurance agent about the cost of insuring vehicles you are interested in before you make your purchase decision. Here are several other ways that you can save money on your car insurance:

• Most companies give a break to those who drive less than 7500 miles a year. If you take public transportation instead of driving to work, your premium will go down. Out of the question? Try carpooling.

• Make sure you get all the discounts you are entitled to. You might qualify if your vehicle has an alarm, for example. Discounts used to be given for such safety features as airbags, but they're fading away as those items become more commonplace. Discounts might also be available if you insure your vehicles and your home with the same company. People who pass a defensive-driving course or don't smoke or drink often get discounts.

• Review the status of all the drivers in your family with your agent. Most discounts apply only to one portion of the policy, so don't expect dramatic savings.

• Increase your deductible for collision and comprehensive. Switching from a $100 deductible to $1000 can reduce the collision portion of your premium by 30 percent, said Luedke. You'll still be covered for catastrophes, but you foot the bill for fender-benders. Also, think twice about filing small claims with your insurance: Why risk a premium increase?

• Shop around. Instead of just renewing, study the fine print of your policy to see if its terms -- or your situation -- have changed. Another company might have better rates, but you won't know unless you shop. Most insurers give rates over the phone and many via online computer services, making it easy to compare premiums.

• Drop collision coverage on older cars. Claims are limited to "book" value, so you're not likely to get much anyway if you car is more than seven years old. A good rule of thumb is to drop collision when the annual premium reaches 10 percent of your car's value.

• Be a good driver. Avoid accidents and traffic violations and you will be rewarded with good-driver discounts. Bad driving is expensive. The "safer you can be" on the road, Luedke said, "the lower your premiums."

• Drop coverage for such extras as towing costs or the expense of renting a car while yours is in the shop. The savings are probably small, but your new-car warranty's roadside assistance provision may provide them at no cost.

• Have your teenager share the family car instead of owning his or her own. Be sure to tell your agent if your son or daughter makes the honor roll or moves away to college. Both qualify for discounts with most companies.

• If your group health insurance provides generous coverage, consider dropping the medical-payments portion of your policy.

• Keep your credit rating healthy. A growing number of insurers are considering a person's credit score when setting rates.

Decide How Much Coverage You Need

While it is dangerous to be underinsured, having too much insurance can be an expensive mistake as well. Without insurance, your property is put at risk in an accident that is your fault. The minimum amount of insurance required in your state is seldom enough.

State law may require as little liability coverage as $15,000 per person, $30,000 per accident, and $5000 property damage. About half of the states require $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident. Half of them require $10,000 in property damage coverage. If you can afford it, buy more than the minimum. After all, $10,000 for property damage may not be enough if you hit a $100,000 Mercedes-Benz.

The more assets and income you have, the more insurance you need. Most insurers recommend liability coverage of at least $100,000 per person, $300,000 per accident, and $50,000 property damage if you have assets to protect, such as a house. Some insurers also recommend a $1 million "personal liability umbrella" policy issued in conjunction with homeowner's coverage. State Farm reports that such coverage averages $270 a year, but the amount varies significantly depending on location and other factors. An "umbrella" policy could protect a family from financial ruin in a major lawsuit.

Like buying a car, there is no single best solution when it comes to buying insurance. Rates vary widely. Surveys suggest that you could pay anywhere from $500 to $2000 annually for the same coverage from different companies. Shop for insurance by consulting two or three of the largest insurers, such as State Farm and Allstate. Then, contact one or two independent agents who can quote premiums from more than one company. In addition, there are direct-marketing companies, such as GEICO and Progressive, which do business over the phone rather than through agents and offer some of the lowest rates. Ask for an itemized list of coverages and costs.

"We're price-competitive," said spokesperson Dick Luedke of State Farm, whose rates dropped somewhat during 2004. But with so many factors involved in setting rates, it's wise to check several prospects.

In 2004, the average price of auto insurance nationwide was $871, according to the Insurance Information Institute. They expected that the cost of auto insurance would rise by 3.5 percent in 2004, which would be the smallest increase in four years.

Don't forget the Internet. Many companies now offer online quotes, and insurance shopping on the Web allows you to compare rates from multiple providers in the comfort of your own home.

Who You Are Affects Your Premium

Factors that you can least control may have the greatest impact on your insurance costs. Your age, gender, and driving record are key factors that affect your insurance premium.

Single males under the age of 25 pay the highest rates. Statistics show they are involved in the most accidents, so insurance companies charge young men higher premiums than women of the same age.Married men, who statistically have fewer accidents, pay less than single men. A handful of states do not allow rates based on sex or age, but that prohibition has tended to result in higher rates for women, not lower rates for men.

If you are convicted of moving traffic violations or of causing an accident, your premiums will likely go up, no matter what your age. Drivers with clean records -- no tickets, no accidents -- pay the lowest rates.

Where you live also plays a big role in how much you pay. Urban areas, with their greater populationdensities and heavier traffic, get higher rates than rural areas. According to the Insurance Information Institute, the average insurance expenditure in mainly urban New Jersey -- traditionally the most expensive state -- in 2002 was more than double that of North Dakota, a rural state with the lowest average premiums. High costs in states such as Florida, Massachusetts and New York are attributed to growth in fraud and theft.

In most states, too, insurers set rates by zip codes. If you live in a major city like Chicago or Los Angeles, you will probably pay more than if you lived in a nearby suburb.

Your Vehicle Affects Your Premium

Y­ou might want a sports car or a fancy SUV, but your insurance company may charge you more to protect you while driving it.

Insurance premiums are based partly on the price of the vehicle, which affects the replacement cost if it is stolen or "totaled" in an accident. How expensive the vehicle is to repair -- including parts and labor -- can also affect the cost. In addition, surcharges may apply to vehicles that are frequently stolen or involved in accidents.

Industry-wide information on injury claims, collision repair costs, and theft rates by vehicle model is available from the Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI). You can write them at 1005 North Glebe Road, Arlington, VA 22201. HLDI is affiliated with the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

According to HLDI, the lowest injury claims are from large vehicles -- cars, pickup trucks, and sport-utility vehicles. Small 2- and 4-door cars have the highest injury claims. Small cars also are among the highest in collision costs, along with sports cars.

If you have your heart set on a sporty vehicle, you'll probably pay dearly. Insuring a high-performance car can easily cost two or three times the insurance amount for an ordinary model.

Sport-utility vehicles, the hottest market segment, often have higher insurance rates than mid- and full-size cars, but some SUV models are relatively cheap to insure. SUVs are "hot" for other reasons: They are among the most frequently stolen vehicles, and they are more expensive than most cars. Cadillac's Escalade is currently the most popular model sought by thieves, but it's followed by the Nissan Maxima sedan. SUVs also can cost more to fix after an accident if the 4-wheel-drive system is damaged.

However, insurance companies set rates based on their own experience. If Company A has more collision and theft claims for a particular vehicle than Company B, then A will charge more for the same coverage. It all boils down to a company's actual experience with a particular vehicle or category of drivers. That is why it pays to shop around for insurance.

Know Your Coverage Types

What is your car insurance actually insuring? Although you're buying a single insurance policy covering a specific vehicle, a number of components make up the final cost:

• Bodily injury liability: Covers injury and death claims against you, and legal costs, if your car injures or kills someone.

• Property damage liability: Covers claims for property that your car damages in an accident. Because liability coverage protects the other party, it is required in all but three states.

• Medical payments: Pays for injuries to yourself and to occupants of your car. This is optional in some states. In "no-fault" states, personal injury protection replaces medical payments as part of the basic coverage.

• Uninsured motorist protection: Covers injuries caused to you or the occupants of your car by uninsured or hit-and-run drivers. "Under-insured" coverage also is available, to cover claims you may make against a driver who has inadequate insurance. In some states, as many as 30 percent of drivers are uninsured.

• Collision coverage: Covers damage to your car up to its book value. Collision coverage carries a deductible, which is the amount per claim you have to pay before the insurance takes effect. The lower the deductible, the higher the premium. While it is legally optional, a lending institution or leasing company usually requires collision coverage.

• Comprehensive (physical damage): Covers damage to your car from theft, vandalism, fire, wind, flood, and other non-accident causes. Comprehensive also carries a deductible.

Car Insurance is a Must!

There are other things that can be added to most insurance. One of these is uninsured motorists. This protects the driver in the case that there is an accident and the person at fault is not insured at all, or not insured to the extent needed. Many insurance companies also carry something they call comp (for comprehensive). This would cover something like a crack in the windshield. Though it is not required, many people get this added because it is not very expensive. Roadside assistance and road hazard insurance are some new addition to some companies. It will provide towing services and pay for things related to actual hazards while driving that are not avoidable. It is a form of many auto clubs around the country.

When purchasing auto insurance, some companies offer discounts for various things. For example, there may be a discount for an alarm system or anti lock brakes. There is usually a cheaper price paid by good drivers with no tickets or accidents on their record for the past 5 years. At some companies, there have been gimmicks of lowering deductibles based on driving record or snapshot driving histories. These are targeted at good drivers and rewarding them. In some instances, the person buying insurance will have to pay for it.
In many places, it is illegal to drive without car insurance. Once caught in such a place, the driver will definitely get a ticket and the car owner will surely get a fine. They are also going to have their license plate removed as well until the problem has been solved. There have even been laws invoked that protect those who have insurance against those who do not. For example in some states, if an insured driver hits an uninsured driver, their insurance company can fight the claim if they deem it necessary. No matter how it is looked at, buying insurance coverage for a vehicle is a win â€" win situation.

When purchasing car insurance, there are minimums that must be attained in most states. This is very important and most companies will not even consider providing insurance to someone who is refusing to comply with state standards. In fact, in most cases, these companies do not offer any coverage lower than that which is required. Lenders usually require not only minimal insurance, but also collision. This means that if their client is the driver at fault, the insurance will cover the repairs. In many cases, this cost is as much as the basic insurance itself.

When purchasing insurance, many people go into an agent’s office when they find the car they want to purchase or to discuss a new policy when they are unhappy with their agent. This trend is changing as more and more people are moving to online sources of insurance and insurance quotes. They are able to get online and punch in their information and get cheap auto insurance. Though not everyone agrees, buying cheap auto insurance can help out those who are unsure where to go.

Saving A Lot Of Money While You Shop Cheapest Car Insurance The Correct Way

It can be necessary for every vehicle owners will need to have cheapest car insurance. Finding and acquiring the right auto insurance is tough. You need an insurance coverage that covers your needs and is economical. Before making a choice on which insurance policies you would like to purchase, you must decide exactly what kinds of coverage you will need and also in what amounts. Some helpful advice on cheapest car insurance are available in this informative article.

Every company has their own personal means of calculating your premium. You can save the best value of cash by talking to many different companies.

Check insurance premiums for a variety of car models before you are getting a car.Insurance agents can provide a list of cars which automobiles have better rates. You save on auto insurance policy by choosing a car with a really good safety rating.

Avoid letting your insurance coverage lapse to keep your policy rates low. You can create gaps in coverage when you jump in one insurance company or policy to a different one. Your insurance carrier will boost the rate charged after they discover these lapses.

In case you are planning on buying aftermarket parts to your vehicle, determine the insurance plan consequences if your car get damaged or stolen. Insurance frequently does not provide coverage for such parts, only the visible difference between the need for the auto with and without those parts, which is often not really a lot.

Property damage liability is a very important feature of your respective vehicle insurance policy. This can cover damages that the car causes during an accident. There are only three states that do not expect you to have this like a compulsory item.

Carpooling or taking public transportation are good ways to lower your insurance costs.Insurance carriers are incredibly pleased with responsible and driving less miles is one way to indicate them.

Having sufficient insurance can protect someone if they enter into some type of accident.

Trade with your sports car for a more insurance friendly. Sports cars generally cost you plenty more to insure than many more. Sports cars may also be more likely to be stolen, which further raises the price of insurance.

Insurance rates vary due to the chances of theft or accident, and in general rural areas and suburbs have lower rates than cities.

100/200/100 level coverage may be beneficial if you have a high priced car.

Remove any other drivers from your insurance every time they stop driving your vehicle. If you remove an additional person your rates will usually decrease, removing them may save you extra revenue on your own monthly and yearly premiums.

The cheapest rate doesn't necessarily indicate the sole thing that will grab your attention when shopping for your vehicle insurance.

Many insurance companies give discounts to individuals who drive 7500 miles in one year.As a result cutting your driving a fantastic strategy for saving cash on car insurance.

Even after-market safety features at a later time.

Paying your entire insurance in one payment will save you money over time. There can be extra fees for paying your insurance in installments or monthly premiums.

You should keep records of your insurance bills that you have paid. This is great if you happen to come across any problems with the insurance company.

You can't avoid a greater premium entirely for those who have an unsatisfactory record, but understand that insurance carriers are have different policies.Some even are experts in helping drivers with a few bad records get a good rate.

You will obviously need to pay greater than someone by using a perfect record, but bear in mind that different insurers may treat you differently. Some insurance companies even are experts in helping drivers with some marks on the record get a good rate.

If your household member buys their particular insurance, ensure that you remove that individual from the policy so that your premiums are lower. By way of example, once your child is of sufficient age to buy an insurance plan independent of yours, eliminate them from yours to minimize your premium. The number of drivers with your household includes a substantial amount in the event you remove another driver who had accidents and tickets.

Never drive without cheapest car insurance. Should you be in a accident, good cheapest car insurance will protect you against a large financial hit. The advice in the following paragraphs should allow you to select the right company and coverage.

What Exactly is Direct Car Insurance? And is it Cheaper?

Direct car insurance is exactly what it describes, you make all the cover arrangements yourself and purchase the policy directly from the Insurer who underwrites the cover.

The advantages of buying 'direct' are that in some cases the premiums offered will be less than if you bought through a middleman, though this is by far the case for the majority in reality.

Most direct motor insurance companies are able to make savings in commission and data handling, which many do pass onto their customers in discounted premiums or advertising 'tempters' such as offering twelve months cover for the price of ten, or throwing in some additional cover for free, such as car breakdown insurance.

These marketing sweeteners should always be looked upon sceptically by a prospective purchaser of insurance, as it may well be the case that the costs of the 'sweetener' are absorbed elsewhere in the quote offered.

With so many different types of motor insurance distribution points available these days it is sometimes difficult to determine whether you are purchasing your cover from a direct company, or not.

You can purchase car insurance by either picking up the phone and dialling a company that you found in the telephone book, visiting a high street outlet, or by shopping on the Internet where you have access to many different types of car, auto and motor insurance retail distribution products.

Whichever method you choose to purchase, it can still be difficult to determine from the onset, whether you are dealing with a direct  insurance company or one of the many other intermediaries that exist.

The types of insurance intermediaries that exist within the UK insurance market these days are numerous but can broadly be defined as belonging to one the following groups:

Underwriters, Direct Companies, Insurance Companies, Scheme Providers, Brokers, Comparison websites, Agents, Introducers, Affiliates and Affinity Groups.

Those at the top of the group are those most likely to be considered direct suppliers of car insurance.

Those at the bottom of the list are those that are most likely to charge a commission, agents, or an introducer fee.

To understand and benefit from purchasing direct from an insurer we need to look at the goods and services supplied by each of these above groups and how they are components of the price you pay as a premium.

As with all insurance, the power of the pen, that is the ability to set a price for a risk , ultimately lies with the underwriters of the car insurance policy. These are the people who will suffer financially should you make a claim. Underwriters manage your risk and set the rates and charges. It obviously follows then, that the nearer to the source or base risk that you purchase your car insurance from, the more likely it is to be able to get the cover at the best possible price for the risk.

It is possible to directly negotiate a price for a policy with certain motor insurance underwriters. However this task is usually carried out by a specialist insurance broker, and in practice this negotiation is probably best left to a specialist broker who is skilled in communicating risks to underwriters or car insurance companies, and does so as part of his or her job on a daily basis.

Similarly the power of the underwriting pen is available to certain sales teams of Direct insurance companies. If you phone them up and talk to them direct, it is possible that even though they have to follow a script and set system screen procedures, that they have some system codes todiscretionally discount your  insurance premium down to a fixed minimum premium level. It's often a question of don't ask - don't get!

Car insurance schemes are tailored bespoke policies for a certain type of driver or car such as Lady drivers insurance. Schemes may be offered direct from an issuing insurance company specialising in motor schemes, or more likely from a specialist car insurance company or broker. Because the schemes have been designed for a certain distribution channel the company offering these insurance schemes is often given the power of the pen and allowed to make underwriting and pricing decisions themselves, within certain pre-arranged limits of authority.

Often overlooked by the large part of the car insurance buying public, these schemes offer the best value for money if you are lucky enough to fit into one.

If you buy direct from a broker it is probable that they have an underwriting contact at an insurance company who can vary premiums and match quotes that you have obtained from another source. The advice that car insurance brokers offer can often be worth the small additional premium they might charge, as they will help you get the correct level of cover and more importantly communicate any claims or problems you might be having direct to the underwriters of your insurance policy, saving you time and money in what can be a minefield to the insurance world uninitiated.

The large Insurance comparison websites that you so often see advertising on TV, sell policies on behalf of insurance companies and brokers. The majority of these companies do not have access to the pen, and are not allowed to discount premiums. Many do however offer and present a wide choice of insurance policy to a prospect and through the ability to compare rates for mainstream car insurance, are usually able to offer policies which are cheaper than what a customer may currently be paying.

Beware when you are comparing policies online that you are comparing not just on the premium price quoted, but also take account of the variations in levels of cover, and only compare on a like for like basis. To fully understand the levels of cover it is essential that you always read the small print of these policies. Unfortunately in the case of Internet comparison sites that do not underwrite themselves, it is often the case that there are additional premium hikes when you come to complete, often made by the contract fulfilling underwriting insurance company, to the original quote offered. This practice known as 'after loading' occurs when you arrive at the underwriting company's site to complete the transaction the price has risen considerably from that originally being quoted.

However you decide to purchase your car insurance, it should always be with what is right for your particular circumstances and your particular car, in mind.

You should always make comparative decisions on a like for like basis. If one policy being offered a few hundred cheaper than a competitor, you should check carefully the levels of cover in the small print, and compare the limits of indemnity.

Check also which covers are included in the basic cost of the motor insurance policy and which are included as extras. Windscreen damage cover is an example of this. Do you really need a courtesy car when you are a two car family? This extras can soon mount up.

If you need advice or help in deciding what covers you require, you should always call a broker or insurance company direct and they will be able to explain exactly what they are offering and allay any fears and misunderstandings you may have regarding the insurance that they are offering.

It is now possible to combine the best of both the direct insurance offerings with the associated savings of cheap car insurance schemes. Specialist schemes car insurance company Lancaster, offer such a proposition at their online portal Car-insurance.tv where over a hundred exclusive schemes can be compared.

Discover How You Can Get Cheap Car Insurance Rate And Minimize The Costs Of Your Car Insurance

Getting cheap products and services are in everyone's mind nowadays since everything seems to have higher prices now compared to decades ago. Car drivers are facing problems with the hiking prices of goods and services. Petrol prices are getting steeper and governments seems to impose higher road taxes nowadays. For a car driver, getting cheap car insurance is no longer an option but it is now a necessity. Having cheap auto insurance can help car drivers to reduce their costs of owning a car. Car drivers are encouraged to practice some steps in order to get lower rates.

Firstly, a research of insurance companies is very important to determine the cheapest auto insurance one can find. Online research is so far the easiest way to obtain a lot of quotes. Most insurance companies have their own websites to help potential customers get details and insurance quotes when they are looking for any type of insurance. There are also insurance comparison sites which car drivers can browse around to compare rates between several insurance companies. A research of insurance companies is very important as different insurance companies offer different rates.

Next, having secured cars also helps car drivers to be in a better position to get cheap car insurance. Secured cars are cars installed with adequate safety measures to avoid damages and thefts happening on the cars. When car drivers choose to fit in safety devices for their cars, this not only help to make their cars more protected from any sorts of mishaps, but also guarantee them a spot in getting cheap auto insurance. Car drivers should also get a safe parking space for their cars to minimize the risks of theft and accidents.

Besides that, car drivers with good driving history will have better chances to obtain a lower rates. Insurance companies will offer car drivers with lower risks driving profile lower rates as they are in lower risks to make claims from their respective companies. Therefore, car drivers should brush up their driving profiles in order to secure lower rates.

In addition, the type of cars owned by car drivers will also determine the rates. A car driver owning an expensive car will be guaranteed a higher rate. This is because the fees of repairing an expensive car tend to be very high when the car is damaged. The insurance company insuring the car also needs to pay big amount of money to the car owner when the expensive car is being stolen. Therefore, car drivers who want to get cheap car insurance should consider getting a sturdy and cheaper car which is less prone to accidents and thefts.

An excellent car insurance is a insurance which is able to provide adequate coverage for a car and its driver yet manage to help the insurance policy holder to minimize the costs.

The Importance Of Car Insurance

If you have a car, then you would need car insurance. The best car insurance can protect your car from any inconvenience should a likely car accident occur. But you should also be careful of what kind of car insurance you have. There are a lot of them available out there but not all can give you that coverage that you might be looking for.

As most other types of insurance available to choose from, the same thing goes with insuring your own car. There are different types that you can choose from, depending on what your needs are. There are liability car insurance policies that cover for accidental bodily injury as well as property damage to others. There are also policies that cover only damages caused by collisions with other vehicles or objects. There are also comprehensive car insurance policies that cover for loss or damage to the insured vehicle caused by circumstances other than car accidents. This may include car damage or loss due to fire, hail, vandalism, or theft.

Another type of car insurance policy available for you covers for medical expenses for injuries caused by a car accident regardless of fault. There is also a type of car insurance policy called Personal Injury Protection (PIP) that covers an insured driver for injuries acquired from a car accident, regardless of fault. There are also car insurance policies that can cover a motorist from car damages in a car accident with a driver who doesn't have liability insurance.

There is also a type of policy for covering car damages caused by a car accident caused by the other driver who has insufficient liability insurance. Fro rental cars, there is also a type of car insurance that will pay for damages caused by an accident on the road. These types of car insurance can also be found in combination to give you a variety of policies to choose from. Knowing what your exact needs are and being aware of the minimum car insurance requirement in the place where you live in can help you in being able to choose the best car insurance policy to cover your own vehicle.

There are useful tips available to help you look for a good car insurance policy that can help you keep your premium payments down to a minimum. In looking for good car insurance, you should also try looking for car insurance available for you online. You might be able to avail of discounts for car insurance policies purchased online. You can also try to limit your car's mileage before you try to get an insurance quote for it. The lower the mileage, the lower the insurance quote. Try not to modify or customize your car as it might affect your car insurance coverage.

You can also try to restrict the number of drivers on your car insurance policy as it might increase your premium payments later on. If you want to avail of good but affordable car insurance, then you can choose to drive a cheap but dependable vehicle because such cars can have policies that can well cover for damages at a very affordable premium. These are just but a few tips for you in getting that car insurance the cheaper way. A car insurance policy can greatly benefit a regular driver like you. It is never to early too get one for your car. You may never be able to handle the regret if you realize its need a little too late.

12 Car Insurance Cost-Cutters

Due to the litigious nature of our society and the rising cost of vehicles, car insurance rates are hefty throughout the nation. The bad news is that insurance isn't likely to lessen in price any time soon. The good news is that there are things that you can do to minimize increases and/or lessen the burden on your wallet. Let's take a look at 12 tips you can employ to save your driving dollars.

1. Insure Multiple Cars/Drivers If you obtain a quote from an auto insurance company to insure a single vehicle, you might end up obtaining a higher quote (per vehicle) than if you inquired about insuring several drivers and/or vehicles with that company. This is because insurance companies will offer what amounts to a bulk rate because they want your business, and under some circumstances, they are willing to give you a deal if it means you'll bring in more of it.
To obtain a discount, ask your agent/insurance company to see if you qualify and get a quote. Generally speaking, multiple drivers must live at the same residence and be related by blood or by marriage. Two non-related people may also be able to obtain a discount; however, they usually must jointly own the vehicle.
Incidentally, some companies may also provide an auto insurance discount if you maintain other policies with the firm (ex. homeowner's insurance). Check with your agent/insurance company to see if such discounts are available and applicable.

2. Keep A Clean Record It should go without saying that the more accidents or moving violations an individual has, the more he or she will tend to pay in terms of annual premiums. For those unaware, points are typically assessed to a driver for moving violations. Generally speaking, more points can lead to higher insurance premiums (all else being equal).

3. Take A Defensive Driving Course Sometimes insurance companies will provide a discount for those that complete an approved defensive driving course. Also, sometimes a driver can reduce the number of points he or she has on his or her license by taking a defensive driving, accident prevention or other course.
Make sure to directly ask your agent/insurance company about this discount before signing up for a class. After all, it's important that the effort being expended and the cost of the course will translate into a big enough insurance savings. It's also important that the driver sign up for an accredited course.

4. Shop AroundIf your policy has just been renewed and the annual premium has gone up markedly, consider shopping around and obtaining quotes from competing companies. Also, every year or two it probably makes sense to obtain quotes from other companies just in case there is a lower rate out there.
How to pick your next hotel stayHowever, remember that cheap doesn't always mean good and going with the lower-priced company isn't always the wisest decision. That's because the insurer's credit worthiness should also be considered. After all, what good is a policy if the company doesn't have the wherewithal to pay aninsurance claim? To run a check on a particular insurer, consider checking out a site that rates the financial strength of insurance companies (such as A.M. Best). Financial strength of your insurance company is importnant but, what your contract covers is also very important so, make sure youunderstand your insurnace contract.

5. Take Mass Transit When you sign up for insurance, the company will generally issue you a questionnaire. Among the questions it asks might be the number of miles you drive the insured automobile per year.
If you use your vehicle to commute three hours to work every day, you will generally pay more in insurance premiums than someone who only drives one mile a day. If possible, try to use mass transit to rack up fewer miles, keeping in mind that you will usually have to decrease your mileage significantly before incurring a discount. Ask your agent/insurance company about the company's different mileage thresholds so your efforts won't be wasted.

6. Select Your Vehicle Carefully Buying a huge SUV may sound exciting, but insuring a 5,000-pound, top-of-the-line vehicle can be more expensive than insuring a small (but safe) lower-cost commuting car. Also, older cars are often cheaper to insure than their more modern counterparts. Again, speak with your agent/insurance company to find out the exact rates to insure the different vehicles you're considering before making a purchase. To learn more about choosing a cost-effective vehicle, see Wheels Of A Future Fortune.


7. Consider Raising Your DeductiblesWhen selecting car insurance, you can typically choose a deductible, or the amount of money you would have to lay out before insurance picks up the tab in the event of an accident, theft or other type of damage to the vehicle. Depending on the policy, deductibles typically range from $250 to $1,000. The catch is that, generally speaking, the lower the deductible, the higher the annual premium. Conversely, the higher the deductible is, the lower the premium. Ask your agent/insurance company how your premium might be affected if you raised your deductible. In some cases, it may make the annual premium better by several percent and put some money back in your pocket; other times, the savings may be minimal.

8. Improve Your Credit Rating
A driver's record is obviously a big factor in determining auto insurance costs. After all, it makes sense that a driver who has been in lots of accidents could cost the insurance company lots of money. However, folks are sometimes surprised to find that insurance companies may also consider credit ratings when determining insurance premiums.
Why is a person's credit rating considered? The theory is that individuals who keep their financial situations in ship-shape condition will tend to be more careful when it comes to driving. Regardless of whether that's true, be aware that your credit rating can be a factor in figuring insurance premiums and do your utmost to keep your credit rating high.

9. Pay Attention to Where You Live It's unlikely that you will move to a different location (i.e., state) simply because it has lower car insurance rates. However, when planning a move, the potential change in your car insurance rate is something that you will want to factor into your budget.

10. Drop Unnecessary Coverage
Dropping certain types of coverage can be a slippery slope. After all, nobody can predict if or when an accident will occur. However, if an individual is driving an extremely old automobile that's on its last legs, it may make sense (depending on the cost, the individual's driving record and other factors) to drop collision coverage. The reason for this is that were the vehicle to be involved in an accident, the insurance company would likely total the car. If the value of the car is only $1,000 and the collision coverage costs $500 per year, it may not make sense to buy it.
In any case, before making any such decision, consider speaking with your financial advisor and your agent/insurance company. Remember, every situation is different and the decision is up to you. 


11. Install Anti-Theft Devices
Individuals have the potential to lower their annual premiums, sometimes by as much as several percent, if they install anti-theft devices. Your agent or insurance company should be able to tell you specifically which devices, when installed, can lower premiums. Car alarms and LoJacks are two types of devices that you might want to inquire about. If your primary motivation for installing an anti-theft device is to lower your insurance premium, make sure to consider whether the cost of adding the device will result in a significant enough savings to be worth the trouble and expense. 


12. Question Your Agent It's important to note that there may be other potential cost savings to be had in addition to the ones described in this article. In fact, that's why it often makes sense for you to speak directly with your agent or a representative of the insurance company to ask if there are any special discounts that the company offers for individuals such as military personnel or employees of a certain company. The insurance company may also offer a "good student" rate or some other special savings. You never know what sort of discount pricing might be available for your circumstances, but unless you ask, you probably won't be able to take advantage of it.


The Bottom Line
The price of auto insurance is likely to continue to rise in the future. However, there are many things you can do to reduce the sting, and hopefully these 12 tips will have you driving in the right direction.  

Car Insurance Tips That Will Save You Big Bucks

The average cost for car insurance in the United States these days is more than $1,000 a year. But you can save on your car insurance by following these car insurance tips ...

Get All the Discounts You Can

Discounts are the best way to save on car insurance because you lower your premium without sacrificing coverage. Common car insurance discounts include:

• Discounts for purchasing your home and auto insurance through the same company.
• Discounts for being a good student discount.
• Discounts for safety features such as automatic seat belts, airbags, and anti-lock brakes.
• Discounts for having taken a defensive driving course.
• Discounts for being accident free for a certain number of years, usually three years.
• Discounts for anti-theft devices such as auto alarms and electronic disabling devices.
• Discounts for being in law enforcement or in the military.

Ask your insurer if there are any other discounts you might be eligible for and be sure to include them in your policy.

Keep Your Coverages Low and Your Deductibles High

Your state has certain minimum liability coverages you need to have in order to drive your car. Your premium will be lowest if you buy just the minimum coverages, but keep in mind that you may not have enough protection in case of an accident.

In addition to liability coverages, you can choose whether to purchase collision and comprehensive coverage. Collision coverage pays for physical damage to your car caused by an accident. Comprehensive coverage pays for physical damage to your car caused by ... well, just about everything else, such as fire, hail, vandalism, storms, etc.

If you buy collision and comprehensive coverage, set your deductibles as high as you can afford. The higher your deductibles, the lower your premium. Raising your deductible from $250 to $1,000 can save you up to 50% on your yearly insurance cost.

Shop Around

Insurance premiums vary widely from one insurance company to another. You need to get quotes from several companies in order to get the best rate. Fortunately, the Internet makes this job easy. You just go to an insurance comparison website and type in your insurance information. You'll then receive quotes from multiple A-rated insurance companies.

5 Simple And Effective Car Insurance Tips

Car insurance need not be an expensive affair. But unfortunately, many people pay a higher amount of premium than they really have to, because they do not understand the real aspects of auto insurance. Here are a few effective car insurance tips that can save you a lot of money in the long run.

1. First of all, have a clear understanding of your vehicle and your own requirements. Every single vehicle and individual is unique and their auto insurance policy needs to reflect that uniqueness. What might be perfect for another person who drives the same type of car as yours may not be the right option for you. Therefore, you need to have a specific goal for your policy. You need to pay only for those aspects and drop all the other bells and whistles that unnecessarily add to your expenses. This will immediately reduce quite a large chunk from your premium payments.
2. Understand that your premiums will go up when the coverage for your car is a considerable risk for your insurance company. If your car is a high profile model that is very expensive or is likely to attract burglars, then you might have to pay a higher premium. You can install anti-burglary devices to bring down the threat to your car. You can also arrange for a safe parking facility so that the risk of damage or burglary is minimized. This will effectively lower the premium that you need to pay for your high risk car.
3. Your premium amounts will go up when you as a driver, happen to be a high risk to your insurance company. If you are a rash driver or you happen to get a lot of traffic tickets, you might attract a higher insurance rate. Learn to be a more responsible driver. If your driving record is good over a long period of time, then you can hope to reduce the amount you pay for your premiums.
4. Try to pool different kinds of insurances together and have them all processed by a single insurance company. Having separate policies for each requirement can be more expensive. Clubbing them all together can lower your premiums.
5. Never compromise on the basic essentials that you cannot do without. While you should cut down on unnecessary coverage, you should never go overboard and compromise on coverage that is absolutely essential for you. You need to strike a balance between paying too much and too little for your premiums.

A Few Car Insurance Tips

In order to be able to drive a car legally on the road, you will need to have car insurance. However, this is not always cheap and your final rate depends on many factors. In this article we will be reviewing a couple of car insurance tips that can enable you to get the most coverage for your money.

Before you decide to renew your policy with your old company or choose a company based on what your peers use, you should do some research. The internet has made this very easy to do and there are numerous comparative websites which showcase the rates of different companies. Some companies even have an online form that you could fill out and you can get an estimated cost per year.

If you do your research, you could save yourself quite a lot of money. Also, by doing this, you will know what the other companies offer and what their policies entail. This can help you make a more informed choice and get the best deal. If after researching on the internet and you decide you want to purchase a specific policy from a company, you should apply for it online. By applying online, you can get as much as ten percent off the cost, but make sure and enquire first if the offer is valid.

Another tip for those who want to pay the very least on their policies is to drive less. By driving fewer miles every year, you can save a substantial amount on your policy. However, when talking to the sales agent, make sure not to lie about this as it can make your insurance void.

If you are a new driver or a young driver, then you will probably experience high rates for at least a year or two. The only way to reduce these rates is to be a safe driver and make sure not to get into any accidents or make claims. This will mark you as a safe and responsible driver which will in turn allow the company to reduce how much you pay.

Also, if the cost of insurance is a huge issue when buying your first car, it is advisable that you purchase a smaller vehicle with a less powerful engine. This can help as it will put you into a smaller insurance group and reduces your risk of getting into an accident. In the end, this will result in lower fees and great coverage.

One last tip that will help you to keep your rates low is to resist the urge to modify your vehicle. Note that not all modifications will cause your rates to raise, however, you should first check with your agent before installing it. This can be especially expensive if you're a young driver, so make sure not to modify if you want to have lower rates.

In ending, we have just presented a few car insurance tips that will help you to pay less on your policy and enjoy your vehicle more. Once you keep in line with these guidelines, you will be able to get the most coverage for the lowest payment.

3 Best Cheap Car Insurance Tips From a Former Insurance Agent

Often people worry that if they pay a cheaper car insurance rate they'll not get the best deal. You can get the cheapest insurance rate and you'll get all the benefits that someone who is paying a lot more is getting. Cheap may not be a good deal when it comes to some other things but here are a few things to keep in mind when looking for cheap auto insurance. And it doesn't matter if it's a car, truck, motorcycle, RV or other vehicle. Here are 3 best cheap car insurance tips that may help you decide on which way to go.

1. No auto insurance company offers the lowest rate to everyone. They're going to give the best rates to drivers that fit their criteria or profile for the best risk. You cannot always tell by the ads or commercials they run. Some are looking for older drivers and don't hide the fact - older meaning more than 50 years of age. Factors that are considered are: zip code or postal code, the type of vehicle you're insuring, how much driving experience you've had, how old you are, how much loss you've had in the past to insurance companies among others.
2. History with an auto insurance company matters. How long you've been with an insurance company may have a lot to do with your current rates. Changing to a new company is not always a good idea. Make sure you take history into consideration.
3. By paying a lower or cheaper insurance rate it does not mean that if you have an accident, you'll have a difficult time with the claims adjuster or any claims issues. You'll be treated just the same as if you were paying higher rates. Make sure to do plenty of research and compare not just the rates but the policies too. Read the fine print. Once you've boiled it down to 2 or 3 insurance companies, ask the insurance agent to tell you what he or she likes about the insurance policy and if he can offer any discounts.

Yes these are just a few - there are a lot more best cheap car insurance tips but too many to mention in this short article. And the best way to get the cheapest car insurance quotes is to get several at one time and compare the rates and policies. The best way to do this is online where you can submit a little basic information all at once in just a few minutes and get several quotes back in minutes. Then you can research the 2-3 that are the lowest and see what's best for you.

Top 5 Car Insurance Tips That Every Driver Must Know

Car insurance is a complex subject, albeit a necessary one. Many drivers tend to be fed wrong information through word-of-mouth advice or misleading websites. It is very important that drivers know the myths from the facts regarding car insurance so that they can understand their coverage and make informed decisions. Here are some car insurance tips that drivers need to know.

Tip No. 1: Understand how a ticket increases your car insurance rates. Many insurance companies only charge for moving violations, so parking tickets do not affect your insurance. Similarly, there are many other types of tickets which do not cause an increase in the rates, and they vary from company to company.

Tip No. 2: Car insurance does not cover everything inside or on the car. Many people have a common misunderstanding that stereo equipment and aftermarket parts added on the vehicle are covered by their insurance policy. While the coverage depends from person to person and company to company, in most cases, the coverage for the car contents is very low. A car insurance policy is mainly used for covering impact damages to the car and medical bills resulting from accidents. So, ensure that your home insurance covers these add ons. If you have equipment and aftermarket parts installed on your vehicle, make sure you keep the receipts for the same.

Tip No. 3: Understand your no-fault insurance: No-fault insurance is a gray area. It does not mean that, in case of an accident, no one is at fault. There is always someone at fault in a collision; just that, irrespective of who is at fault, the companies pay the claims for their respective subscribers. The at-fault party naturally will see increased rates.

Tip No. 4: Insurance does not cover every car you borrow-If you happen to be driving a borrowed car and are at fault in a collision then the owner of the car will see a rise in his car insurance rate, not the borrower. This is especially important to understand and be aware of in case you happen to borrow cars frequently from friends.

Tip No. 5: Understand the legal minimum prescribed by your state: Each state has prescribed obligatory legal liability coverage and every driver needs to be aware of this. But one must also be aware that this amount is not the perfect amount and does not cover collision and comprehensive coverage. Drivers need to carry more than the legal minimum to avoid out-of-pocket expenses in case of collisions. These legal mandates are in place to ensure that no one drives a vehicle without liability protection for other drivers.

These Car Insurance Tips Can Save you a Bundle

With the rising number of car accidents and the rising cost of car insurance these days you want to be sure you're getting the best insurance at the best rate. Here are three car insurance tips that will show you how to save the most amount of money.

Car Insurance Tips

Car Insurance Tip #1 - Shop for quotes. Shopping for quotes is by far the best way to save the most money on your insurance premium. There are a number of websites that will give you quotes from top insurance companies so you can compare them and get the cheapest rate. (See links below.) I've known people who've saved $500 to $1,000 on their car insurance simply by switching companies.

Car Insurance Tip #2 - Increase your deductibles. A deductible is the amount you pay on a claim before your insurance kicks in. Most of us never file claims for small amounts of damage because insurance companies can hike up your rates if you file too many claims, so it only makes sense to increase your deductible to an amount you feel comfortable with. Increasing your collision deductible from $200 to $500 will cut your yearly premium by 15% to 30%. Increasing it to $1,000 can cut your premium in half.

Car Insurance Tip #3 - Drop collision coverage. Collision covers the cost of repairing damage to your car regardless of who was at fault. If you drive an older car, consider dropping collision coverage if your premium is equal to 10% or more of your car's value.

Dropping your collision coverage can save you $300 to $500 a year depending on the age and make of your car.