Auto insurance is not a fixed cost, meaning there are things that you can do both today and in the future that will lower your auto insurance premiums. While you will need to take out car insurance, you don’t need to pay as much as you may think.
Whether you’ve recently passed your test, or you’re a long-time driver, here are 8 strategies to use which can lower your car insurance premium.
Drive Safely
No matter how long you’ve been driving for, auto insurance is expensive enough. If you find yourself in an accident or have violations on your driving record, the amount you pay out for your auto insurance can be a fortune. Driving carefully and safely is one of the best ways to not only avoid accidents but keep your auto insurance low. Keeping your full attention on driving at all times, limiting distractions, and adhering to the speed limit are all useful tips in helping to reduce how much you pay for your auto insurance.
Purchase an Insurance-Friendly Vehicle
The vehicle that you drive will make a huge difference in how much you pay in auto insurance premiums. While there isn’t a lot that you can do initially, there are strategies you can take when it comes to buying a new car. When selecting a vehicle, make sure that you pick one that is auto-insurance friendly. Many motorists are drawn to sporty cars or those that are excessively expensive, but going down this route will cost you a great deal more in your auto insurance.
Take a Defensive Driving Course
If you haven’t got the best driving record, there are things you can do to lower your insurance premium relatively quickly. There are some insurance companies that will give incentives and discounts to drivers who embark on a defensive driving course. Although you may think that the one you completed in high school will do, it needs to be a recent course.
Look at Your Driving Records
Whether you’re the sole owner of your vehicle, or other members of your family drive the car too, it pays to look at your Driving Records. There are websites like Public Records Reviews that can present any tickets, judgments, or citations that you have been given. Insurance companies may check out your driving records to establish how responsible and trustworthy you are as a driver, so visiting https://www.publicrecordsreviews.com/driving-records will give you more information on how to find driving records, who can view them, as well as other things that your driving records will reveal.
Make Use of Behavior-Based Discounts
Insurance companies rely on good drivers to make their money. With that in mind, you might want to look into companies like Liberty Mutual who offer special discounts to motorists with a clean driving history. This means that you will not only get rewarded for being a responsible driver, but you can save more money on your car insurance premiums by using apps like RightTrack, which are designed to monitor your driving behavior. We all want to get the best deal for our money, so taking advantage of discounts can cut costs and provide you with money to spend on other things.
Shop Around
Many drivers like to stay with the same auto insurance provider for years, however, this isn’t always the best route to take. While you may benefit from loyalty incentives, many insurance providers will slowly raise your rates over the years because they are aware that customers are too lazy to research into other carriers. It’s advised that you compare insurance rates from other companies once every couple of years. If you’re not satisfied with how much you pay each month, going with a competitor may save you money on your car insurance.
Move Nearer to Work
When applying for auto insurance, one of the first questions that you will be presented with is how many miles your round-trip commute to work is. Understandably, the shorter your commute is, the lower you will have to pay for your auto insurance premium. As you will be on the road less, this minimizes the risk of you being involved in a car accident, so if you have the money to, moving closer to work can be a great way to keep costs down.
Improve Your Credit Score
Whether you agree with it or not, car insurance providers will take your credit score into account before pricing your policy. While you won’t be able to ring your insurance provider and ask for a reduction on your premium because your credit score has risen a couple of points, improving your credit score will increase your chances of paying less on your car insurance premiums.
If you believe you’re paying too much for your car insurance, all the tips listed above can contribute towards reducing your insurance bill, as long as you know where to look and what to do.