Will everyone who hates buying car insurance stand up? That one emptied the seats. Now, everyone who is glad to have insurance thirty seconds after an accident sit down. No doubt, that refilled all of the chairs. Despite the Progressive Insurance commercials, we all still wonder if our car insurance could somehow be cheaper.
Actually, there are some ways to cause your automobile insurance costs to drop without selling off your vehicles and buying a bicycle. By just following some simple suggestions, your car insurance may be able to be lowered by double digit percentage points.
When you get ready to buy or replace a vehicle, check with your insurance agent first. Your agent can show what models carry a lower rating for insurance cost. Sometimes, you can buy a car in the same size and price range by a different manufacturer, and it will make a huge impact on insurance costs. If you are buying a car that failed in many of the crash tests, your insurance will be more. Buying a car that is on the hot list for car thieves will up your insurance cost.
If the cost of insurance is a problem for you, stay away from cars that are rated as sports cars. Insurance companies see these as claims waiting to happen. They do not question if the claim will come, but just wonder when. Usually it comes sooner than later.
Sports cars have another disadvantage in insurance costs. The police are much less likely to give you the benefit of the doubt when they pull you over. People in sports cars speed more. They are more likely to do racing on the road ways. Sports car drivers frequently are more discourteous to others and talk offensively to the men and women in blue. Sports cars are more often on the list of cars to be stolen.
Changing your driving habits will lower your insurance bill. If you carpool more, the number of miles driven per year should decrease. This means that you might fall below that magic 5,000 or 7,500 or 10,000 miles per year that insurance companies look for. Insurance companies also like to hear that you do not drive to work everyday.
Keep younger drivers off of your policy. If you can tell the insurance company that you have no drivers under about 25 or so to insure, they will smile and lower your cost. Younger drivers are considered more dangerous and expensive to insurers. When you no longer need to carry them, it will save you a considerable amount of money.
Avoid speeding and reckless driving habits. Insurance companies hate tickets as much as young drivers and sports cars. Except in very rare occasions, speeding is entirely controlled by the driver. If you get a speeding ticket, you were at fault. Lighten up on the accelerator and save money on your insurance. Tickets are reported to the state and insurance companies check driving records closely.
Shop annually for car insurance. Not all insurers adjust their rates at the same time. Some may have no real increases for several years. Others do annual step ups. By contacting 4 or 5 agents once a year, you increase your chances of finding cheaper insurance with the same or similar coverages. Do not be afraid to switch as long as it is a reputable company. Avoid places with names like: "Joe's Bar and Insurance Company."
