Wednesday, March 18, 2009

Tested Tips For Cheaper Auto Insurance

By Chimezirim Odimba

You can enjoy high quality coverage without breaking the bank. The only things that that keep you from enjoying a more affordable rate now are relevant information and a motivation to use the information you get. Let us get into the ideas you need to pay far less...

You might be able to bring down your rate if you take time to review your policy from time to time. Change is inevitable and happens without our permission but then we must NOT pay for things that such changes has relieved us of. A good example is a case where a couple leave their wedded daughter on their policy for months or even a few years just because they did not remember.

There are discounts you might have qualified for. You might as well have "outgrown" the need for certain coverage types. Review your policy at least once a year or twice yearly. Don't be surprised if you end up discovering you need to make adjustments or report changes that will result in considerable savings.

The longer you stick with the same insurer the more you stand to gain for two reasons: The long term discount and accident forgiveness. Most insurers will give you a discount of about 5% if you stay with them for up to five years (some will give you once you stay for up to three.

The accident forgiveness discount means that your insurer will not raise your rates if you file just one claim. These are all incentives for you to stay with them for as long as possible.

However, what you may save by switching to another insurer might far outweigh all the incentives you'll get depending on what your rates are and how much another insurer is ready to offer.

Let usassume, that you are given a 5 percent (or $125) discount after your third year with an insurance company where you present auto insurance rate is $2,500.

However, know that your rates may be changed to reflect the effect of inflation. But while you're at it, an insurer somewhere may be prepared to offer a rate of $2,000 or less within that period. In such a case, it will be pointless to stay put because you are after a loyalty discount years later when you can enjoy lower rates immediately.

It's a sure fact that most people can pay far less with another insurer if they will only make out time to shop extensively.. You can only know if it is true in your case after you obtain and compare quotes from a good number of auto insurance carriers and then see where your interest is better served..

You might be missing some discounts you qualify for with your preferred insurer simply because you are not aware of them. Your agent could, by commission or omission not tell you about some discounts that you are eligible for. You'll know only by telling your agent that you want to know if you've been informed about every discount possible for your profile. Do not be surprised if you discover discover that you've not heard of.

For those who are over 55 years of age, you can take advantage of a drivers' refresher course. Completing such a course can qualify you for discounts of up to ten percent. Ask your agent about your insurer's position on this and how to go about it.

Although this may sound funny, you can bring down your rates by getting married. I know you won't get married just for this but when you do, it will save you a bit in auto insurance. Insurers have statistical data that show that people are less reckless and much more careful on the road when they get married. They generally file fewer claims and when they do, they usually cost less.

Finally...

Make out some time to visit a minimum of 5 insurance quotes sites that return quotes on auto insurance policies. This should take you around 25 minutes.

While you visit each site, make sure you input the same information. Doing otherwise will give you misleading results. After you've obtained your auto insurance quotes, compare them to see which serves your interest best both in price and value.

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