Here are some simple ways to lower your car insurance rates. If you’re like most people, you probably understand that the cost of car insurance varies from company to company and even from client to client. While there are many factors that go into calculating your premium, one of the most common is based on your driving record. Therefore, if you want to lower your car insurance rates, start taking steps to clean up your driving record. Here are 10 tips to reduce your car-insurance costs:
Drive Safe
When you’re behind the wheel, you have the power to make a significant impact on your car insurance rates. For example, if you get into a minor fender bender, you may experience a spike in your rate. But if you follow these safety tips, you can reduce this rate significantly: Avoid risk-taking behavior, such as speeding, driving while impaired and engaging in risky driving behavior.
Stay Away From Collisions
If you’ve ever been in a minor fender bender, you’re probably aware that this collision can cause a spike in your premium. To avoid this, stay away from minor collisions and try to avoid them altogether. If you find yourself in a minor collision, try to get the other party’s contact information and have them pay for your damages. This will help you avoid a huge increase in your insurance rates.
Avoid Fraud
Fraud is like a cancer that can quickly spread through an insurance agency and cause a spike in your rates. For example, if you submit a claim for damages to your car, your insurance company may investigate to see if you’re trying to swindle the company out of money. If they discover you’ve submitted a fraudulent claim, they may exclude you from their rate-reduction program.
Don’t Be A Speed Demon
Another factor that can cause a significant rate-boost is your speed. If you’re constantly driving at high speeds, your car will experience more wear and tear and your rates will go up. Therefore, try to moderate your speed and ensure your car is in good condition.
Make repairs
It’s important to maintain your car and make sure nothing is broken or damaged. If you notice something is wrong with your car, make sure you have it repaired as soon as possible. You can use a mileage calculator to see if you’re consistently driving at high speeds and, if so, have your car repaired. Also, consider getting lower-cost coverage. If you have comprehensive or collision coverage, you’re probably driving at high speeds and your car is getting more damage. Consider getting full coverage, which will help you avoid a significant rate-increase.
Know Your Rights
It’s important to educate yourself on your car insurance rate-reduction rights. Many people don’t know that they have the right to lower their rates and they end up paying a high rate. To lower your rates, you need to file an insurance-rate reduction claim. You can do this online or by phone. To file a claim, you need to provide evidence that you’ve made several attempts to lower your rates, but they were denied. If you have a clean driving record, a claim will likely be approved and you’ll be able to lower your rates significantly.
Protect Your Finances And Home
Try to protect your finances and your home by making sure your car is in good condition and you’re only driving the car when necessary. Whenever possible, ride your bike or take public transit and try to avoid driving. If you have to drive, make sure your car is in good condition and you have a low rate. If you don’t have a low enough rate, you can get a car loan. This will allow you to make payments while maintaining a low enough rate to keep your rates low.
Network And Build Relationships
Keep in touch with friends and family and make sure you stay in touch with your insurance agent. Your agent may be able to give you a referral that can help you get a deal with your current carrier. Find other people in your area who may be looking to save money on car insurance rates. There may be a group on Facebook or meetup that is trying to lower their rates. If there is, join the group and help out.
Final Thoughts
When you take the right steps to lower your car insurance rates, you can take advantage of the savings without compromising your driving record. It may take some time to see a significant difference, but it’s worth it in the long run. If you don’t have a clean driving record, it may take longer to get a rate reduction. However, don’t let this discourage you. Clean up your record and continue to make responsible driving decisions, and you’ll be able to get a lower rate sooner than later.