How to Find the Cheapest Car Insurance and how to get discounts
How to Find the Cheapest Car Insurance Coverage for You
The easiest and best way to find the cheapest car insurance
coverage is to shop around. Determine your coverage needs and then comparison
shop for those exact coverages, limits and deductibles so you’ll find prices
for comparable policies. It’s no good to find a cheap auto insurance policy only to realize
the price is low because it contains minimum coverage levels or high
deductibles.
Cutting coverage is one way to get cheaper auto insurance, but it
can leave you open to repair bills and lawsuits against you. Instead, try these
tips for getting cheap car insurance.
Get quotes from multiple car insurance companies
Comparison shopping is the best way to potentially save hundreds of
dollars a year. Even if you have strikes against you, such as an accident or
moving violation, you can still shop around for cheap auto insurance rates.
Because of the wide variation in pricing, the company that offered you a good
rate for a clean record may not be the cheapest when your driving record
changes. That’s why it’s key to compare car insurance quotes from different
insurers.
Review your auto insurance coverage
It’s good to review your policy regularly to make sure your current
coverage, limits and deductibles still are best for your current situation.
Do you have optional coverages on your vehicle you don’t use or
want, such as roadside assistance or rental reimbursement insurance? If so,
take them off to get cheaper car insurance.
Reconsider your deductible
Your deductible is what’s subtracted from a settlement check if you
make a collision or comprehensive insurance claim. If you can afford a higher
deductible in the event of a claim, raise it so your collision and
comprehensive coverages are cheaper. For example, if you have a $250
deductible, you can raise it to $500 or $1,000 and save.
How to Get Cheap Car Insurance with Discounts
Car insurance rates can vary dramatically because each company has
its own way of weighing factors that affect car insurance rates, such as your
driving record, claims history and credit. Insurance companies also differ on
what discounts they offer.
To get cheap car insurance with discounts, keep in mind auto insurance discounts as you comparison shop for a policy. Online car insurance quoting forms ask questions that help insurance companies determine discount eligibility. Speaking to an insurance agent can also help because they can check to see if you qualify for discounts.
Here are some tips on how to get cheaper car insurance with
discounts:
1.
Review car insurance discounts
periodically
Even if you
don’t want to switch companies, it’s smart to make sure you’re getting all the
car insurance discounts available. Ask your insurance agent for a discount
review. For example, if you’ve recently abandoned a long daily commute, you may
be in a lower mileage tier that results in savings.
2.
Look for a good bundling discount
If you insure
your car and also have another policy from the same company, you can usually
save. One of the best discounts you can get is when you bundle auto and home
insurance. You can also get a discount for bundling auto and renters insurance
or auto and condo insurance.
3.
Change the way you pay your
insurance
If you can pay
your policy in full, you’ll likely receive a discount. If you can’t pay in
full, see if you can get a discount by setting up electronic payment transfers
for your monthly insurance bill. Also, some insurance companies offer a small
discount for going paperless or even getting an online quote and buying a
policy online.
Every little
bit of savings can add up to the cheapest car insurance policy possible, so
don’t be shy about asking about discounts that can benefit your bottom line.
What Type of Car Insurance Should You Get?
The type of car insurance you should buy depends on your state’s
requirements and your specific situation. Insurance is not a one-size-fits-all
product. Evaluate the coverage and limits that work best for you.
How much car insurance you need will be different if you have a
new, financed car and want the best policy possible versus if you have an older
car and want just the required basics to be drive legally. Here are the primary
types of car insurance and limit information:
1.
Liability insurance
Bodily injury and property damage liability are the foundation of an auto insurance policy and mandated in most states. These pay for damage and injuries to others if you cause an auto accident. Most states require a minimum amount of liability car insurance, but it’s wise to get higher limits if your budget allows.
Limits of at
least $100,000 for bodily injury per person, $300,000 per accident and $100,000
for property damage (100/300/100) is a solid liability foundation.
2. Uninsured and underinsured motorist
coverage
Uninsured and
underinsured motorist insurance is required in some states and optional in
others. Uninsured motorist (UM) coverage pays for your medical expenses if
you’re hit by someone who doesn’t carry liability insurance. Underinsured
motorist (UIM) insurance pays if the at-fault driver doesn’t carry enough
liability insurance to cover your medical bills.
Limits for UM typically match your liability coverage limits.
3. Personal injury protection (PIP) or
medical payments (MedPay) coverage
Required in
some states and optional in others, personal injury protection insurance is
often part of a no-fault insurance system. In no-fault states you’re required
to make most injury claims on your own car insurance first, regardless of
fault.
Medical
payments coverage is similar in that it pays for your injuries from an auto
accident and is required in a few states. If your state requires PIP or MedPay,
you must get at least the minimums mandated. If optional, you can skip these for
cheaper car insurance, especially if you have decent health care coverage that
would pay for car accident injuries.
4. Collision and comprehensive
insurance
Collision and
comprehensive insurance are not required by state laws but usually mandated by
financing companies if you have a car loan or lease. This coverage is often a
good idea unless you drive a car of little value. They are two separate
coverage types often sold together. The limit for either coverage type is the
value of your totaled car at the time of the incident.
· Collision insurance pays for your
vehicle’s repairs if your car is hit by another vehicle—regardless of fault. It
also can pay out if you accidentally hit something, such as a pole.
· Comprehensive insurance pays out if
your car is stolen or damaged due to issues, such as vandalism, fire, falling
objects, severe weather or striking an animal.
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