You spend a lot of money on your car every month. On top of your auto payment, you have to worry about gas and repairs. There’s also the little matter of your insurance.
Having it is a requirement in most states. Even if it wasn’t, you wouldn’t want to get into an accident while you’re uninsured. The problem with purchasing it is the price.
Your car insurance cost can be one of the most expensive bills you have to deal with if you’re not careful. We can help you lower the impact on your wallet. Keep reading to learn how to save on your car insurance policy.
1. Multi-Car Discounts
When you ask a car insurance company for a quote, you can expect a higher one if you’re only trying to insure a single driver. Insurers offer better deals for those who bring them more service.
Keep in mind that the person you put on your insurance policy has to live in the same house as you. It’s not necessary for them to be related to you, however.
There is only one situation where you may pay more for your multi car insurance. That’s if you’re trying to insure a teen driver. Since they’re more likely to get into an accident, they are seen as a riskier investment.
You may be able to take advantage of a student discount if your child is on the AB honor roll in school and is in the top 20% or so of their class.
2. Try Several Companies
You shouldn’t go with the first insurance company that offers you a decent deal. It’s always a good idea to shop around. Prices tend to vary from provider to provider.
Some of the factors that will make an impact on your quote are your driving history, credit history, and age. You’ll need to find a company that can provide you with the best deal based on that information.
This is the case whenever your insurance policy is about to renew. You don’t have to stick around with a company if they’re no longer working well for you.
3. Go For a Higher Deductible
The higher your deductible, the less you’ll have to pay every month on your bill. This being said, you’ll need to be careful not to set your deductible too high.
For those who aren’t familiar with what a deductible is, it’s the amount of money you’ll have to pay for a service before your insurance kicks in. Let’s say that you get into a car accident that causes 30,000 dollars worth of damage, and your deductible is 7,000.
That means you’ll have to pay 7,000 dollars toward the damages, and your policy will take care of the rest. You don’t want to go with a deductible that’s so high that paying it will empty out your savings account.
4. Increase Your Credit Score
If you’re able to increase your credit score, you may get to take advantage of a lower average insurance cost. The first step in lowering your score is to check your report.
If there are errors on it, and you can prove that they are errors, you can get them removed. Even if there’s nothing wrong with your report, you can still lower your score.
You’ll need to hack away at your debt. Make regular payments on your loans. Consolidate if you can, and cut down on your expenses.
Stop getting coffee every day and make your lunches at home. Cancel your gym membership and kick your cable company to the curb. The more money you save, the more you’ll have in your pocket to throw at your debt.
5. Drive Safer
The best car insurance companies will offer discounts for safe drivers. So, do yourself a favor and pay attention to the road. Limit distractions by keeping your phone off.
If you must answer a text message, pull over to the side of the road. If you get a phone call that you have to answer, make sure that you go hands-free.
Don’t let pets roam around in your car. Get a harness for them that will keep them from getting in the front seat. Pay attention to the road laws and always be aware of the other drivers.
6. Cut Back on How Much You Drive
Before a company can give you a quote, they’ll ask you to fill out a questionnaire. One of the things you’ll have to answer is how often you drive your car.
If you have to commute two hours to work every day, you’re going to pay more money than someone who only has a two-minute commute.
7. Bundle Your Coverage
Your insurance company loves your business. They love it so much that they’ll reward you for giving them more of it. That means you can save money by bundling your home and car insurance.
If you have multiple vehicles, put them on the same policy. It’s convenient because you only have to worry about paying a single company every month, and again, the discounts are pretty nice.
Lower Your Car Insurance Cost
Are you tired of pouring out so much money on your vehicle? As you can see, there are ways for you to lower your car insurance cost and save your piggy bank.
Bundle all your insurance together, cut back on the amount of time you drive, pay attention to the road, and go for a higher deductible. Do that, and you can keep more of your paychecks to yourself. For more tips that will help you lower your monthly expenses, visit the Lifestyle section of our blog.