Nowadays, we’re all looking for ways to cut our expenses and gain more financial freedom. There are many strategies you can try, but one of the things you may be considering is lowering the cost of your auto insurance. Auto insurance is a necessary expense if you own or lease a vehicle, but there are quite a few ways that you can cut down on your premiums and free up more of your money to spend on the things you love most.
Shop Around at Different Companies
As you might expect, every car insurance company wants your business. In the current climate, companies tend to be fairly competitive and will fight to add your name to their list of customers. So don’t be afraid to shop around, inquire about different companies and plans, and find the best deal that you can!
Increase Your Deductible
One way that you can lower your regular premiums is to increase your deductible. The deductible is what you pay out of pocket if you get into an accident or need repairs. If you willingly take on an increased deductible, your premiums will go down as a result.
Take Advantage of Discounts
Every auto insurance company out there has a variety of discounts that you might not know about. Some of them aren’t even hard to get! Here are a few common types of discounts that you can take advantage of to help save money:
● Pay your premium in full one time per year instead of monthly.
● Buy your policy online.
● Be a veteran or current active duty servicemember.
● Be a good student (for younger drivers).
● Utilize preferred payment methods such as automatic payments.
Take a Driving Course
In many states and for many companies, taking a safe driving or defensive driving course can be a relatively easy way to lower the cost of your car insurance payments. Many of the biggest names in auto insurance will reward you for taking tangible steps to be a better driver. And of course, taking these courses can reduce your odds of getting in an accident - which will make it less likely that your premiums will go up later as a result of unsafe driving.
Drive a Safe/Easy-to-Repair Vehicle
You may not know it, but the type of vehicle you drive contributes to the amount of auto insurance you pay. The two common criteria insurance companies look at in this regard are the costs to repair your vehicle and how safe of a vehicle it is.
If your car has parts that are very easy to obtain and not very costly, you won’t pay as much to insure it because it won’t cost as much to repair. In addition, you will likely pay less on average if you drive a safer vehicle, like a minivan, as opposed to a sports car that is commonly associated with speeding tickets and prone to theft.
Keep a Good Driving Record
This is a fairly straightforward point. Being a safe driver who doesn’t rack up tickets or violations will make you less of a liability, and therefore, you’ll be charged less for your coverage than those with a bad driving record. The longer you go without having any problems, the more you’ll benefit from lower costs.
Improve Your Credit Score
Credit scores are a way for many different types of insurance companies to gauge how much of a risk factor you may be, and they can factor into how much you pay for car insurance too. If you have a decent credit score, companies will see you as less of a risk and be willing to lower the amount you pay.
Bundle Your Auto Insurance with Other Insurance(s)
You’ve probably heard of this before, but bundling your home and car insurance can be a great idea if you want to take advantage of savings and make your life easier. Depending on the company, you might be able to find savings of anywhere from 5%-25%, which certainly goes a long way. Plus, you’ll have your major coverage under one name and can simplify your payments.
Save Money on Auto Insurance. Call Vickers Insurance for Help!
If your auto insurance payments are too high, don’t get overwhelmed. There are many ways to lower the cost of your car insurance that you can find useful. Take a step back and examine all of the options you have laid out in front of you, and you’ll be on your way to lower payments and more financial freedom!
And if you have any questions or concerns, feel free to talk to our experts here at Vickers Insurance. From home and auto insurance to life and health insurance, our dedicated professionals understand the many fields of insurance and will do everything they can to connect you with the knowledge you need to make the best decisions and with plans that you’ll love. Contact us today!