Who Has the Cheapest Automobile Insurance?

January 26th, 2011 Tammy Posted in Insurance Categories No Comments »

Is it Allstate, GEICO, Progressive, State Farm, Nationwide, Unitrin Direct, eSurance, Travelers or another company?

If you are shopping for an insurance provider, you may have wondered which company has the cheapest auto insurance. In the following post, we will address that question — keep reading.

The answer to that question depends on various factors including, a driver’s claim history, where they live, their driving record and credit score. Therefore, the cheapest auto insurance is dependent on the individual policyholder and their personal insurance needs.

No individual company can offer the best rates for everyone. While a company like, Progressive may be the cheapest option for some drivers, it could be the most expensive for others.

Therefore, in order to find the cheapest rates for your specific insurance needs — you need to shop around and compare rates.

It’s important to keep in mind when shopping for insurance: Price isn’t everything. In addition to shopping for the cheapest rates, insurance shoppers need to understand what your specific insurance needs are and rather than getting the cheapest price, it is more important to make sure you are properly covered.

While liability (the minimum coverage required by law, in most states) is the cheapest insurance policy one can buy — this type of policy may not meet your insurance coverage needs.

Ways to Lower Insurance Premiums

  • There are several tips for keeping your premiums, at the cheapest, possible price. Some of these tips include:
  • Asking for a higher deductible (increasing the deductible is a great way to reduce your monthly premiums — just keep the deductible at an amount you can afford)
  • Purchasing multiple policies from the same company (most insurance providers offer multi-policy discounts for those who have auto, home, life, health, etc. through their company)
  • Asking for discounts (including low-mileage discounts and more)
  • Checking to see if your state offers a Low Cost Automobile Insurance Program (states like, California do)
  • Pay your insurance bill on time (this prevents your insurance bill from increasing as a result of making late payments)
  • Practicing safer driving (also, don’t let friends borrow your vehicle or anyone who is not listed on your policy)
  • Taking a defensive driving course (a DD course will eliminate points on your license, improving your record and ultimately, providing you with cheaper insurance rates)
  • Reducing coverage on an older car to liability, only (especially if the car is more than ten years old)
  • Shopping around to find the cheapest rates for your insurance needs

Shopping around for the cheapest rates is probably the most essential part of finding the cheapest car insurance company — for you. Comparing rates is the only way to determine which auto insurance provider will offer you the lowest rates in the area.

Regardless of your driving record, credit history or other factors — you should be able to find the cheapest auto insurance for your coverage needs, simply by comparing rates.

Now, it’s your turn to ask yourself — “Who offers the cheapest automobile insurance for me?”




Ford Ranger Insurance

January 24th, 2011 Tammy Posted in Insurance Categories No Comments »

The Ford Ranger is one of America’s most popular, hard-working pick-up trucks that money can buy. According to CarReview.com, the sturdy, American-made Ford Ranger has been the best selling compact pick-up truck for 18 years in a row. If you have just purchased a Ford Ranger or would like to know how to get cheaper insurance for your Ranger, keep reading.

Uses & Features

The Ford Ranger is built to accommodate virtually, any purpose. This durable pick-up can be used for personal or commercial use. The Ranger features a well-built V6 engine with the option for XL or XLT. This truck has mileage capabilities of up to 22 mpg/city and 27 mpg/highway. Drivers can choose between an automatic or five-speed manual transmission. The Ranger offers an impressive list of standard features, as well, including side airbags, anti-lock brakes, stability control, seven Pioneer speakers and leather seats and leather steering wheel cover.

The 2011 Ford Ranger was promoted at the International Motor Show in Sydney, Australia with a list of remarkable features. Some of the safety features include trailer sway control, wider tires and a rearview camera. Other features include a spacious interior, the option to convert between a 4×2 and 4×4 while driving and a 6-speed automatic transmission.

Cost to Insure

The Ford Ranger is inexpensive to buy, typically this mid-sized pick-up can be found under $25,000 and more good news: it’s also inexpensive to insure, as well. In fact, in 2010, both the Ford Ranger Sport and the Ford Ranger XL made the top ten lists for the least expensive trucks to insure. The average premium for the Ranger is approximately $1,198 annually. However, consumers can get even cheaper rates by comparing insurance quotes for several different companies to find the cheapest option for them. In addition, Ranger owners may also be eligible for multiple discounts, as well.

Discounts

There are varieties of discounts that Ford Ranger drivers can qualify for, but they need to know what to ask their insurer. The safety features and durability of the Ranger, alone, may ensure drivers of this Ford pick-up are eligible for various discounts. Most insurance companies offer considerable discounts for safety features such as, ABS, airbags and stability control — all of which, the Ford Ranger has. Therefore, if you are not receiving these discounts, ask your insurance provider about how you can take part in the savings. Paying your insurance premiums in advance can help Ranger drivers qualify for special discounts. In addition, if Ford Ranger drivers have a club membership with AARP or AAA, they may be eligible for a discount rate.

Compare Rates

In order to find the cheapest rates, Ford Ranger owners will want to compare the rates of various companies. Even drivers who have owned a Ford Ranger for years will want to compare multiple quotes — just because your insurance provider offered the cheapest rate, five years ago doesn’t mean that they still do. Therefore, Ranger owners should get online, choose a rate quote comparison site, enter their personal/vehicle information and get multiple quotes in less than ten minutes. In fact, online quote comparison allows consumers to compare up to ten companies from one website, which makes the process of finding the cheapest rate quote for your Ford Ranger, much easier.




Car Insurance Calculators – Top 5 Sites That Have Them

January 18th, 2011 Tammy Posted in Insurance Categories No Comments »

Years ago, shopping for car insurance was quite difficult. In order to compare rates, plans and discounts — consumers had to spend hours on the phone, calling multiple insurance companies to find the best option for them. Today, however, shopping for car insurance is much simpler. Aside from having access to tons of information related to car insurance, there are also helpful tools designed to make shopping for insurance — fast and easy. The newest tools for insurance shopping are car insurance calculators. Learn the top five websites that provide auto insurance calculators to comparison shoppers.

Auto insurance calculators make searching for the lowest price for insurance, so much easier. Insurance calculators can be an invaluable tool to consumers who are shopping for auto insurance. The purpose of these calculators is to provide a rough estimate of what you can expect to pay. They are a great way to compare rates from a particular company or several different insurance providers to find the best rate. In addition, to locating the most competitive rates, car insurance calculators also help consumers determine how much coverage they will need, which features are appropriate for their specific insurance needs and they provide an approximate price for what your insurance policy will cost, as well.

Top 5 Online Car Insurance Calculators

1. CarInsurance.com — The calculator at this website, requires visitors to answer a few basic questions related to their marital status, number of children they have and whether they own or rent their home. This independent auto insurance calculator also requests information about the vehicle you will be insuring, your level of education, your age and whether or not you have health insurance. The process takes less than ten minutes to compare the rates of multiple companies, at the same time. Therefore, this car insurance calculator from CarInsurance.com can save you time and money!

2. Bumper-to-Bumper Basics — Allstate Insurance provides a Bumper-to-Bumper Basics insurance calculator that allows you to calculate what your rates will be, with their company. The calculator requests a few pieces of information including information about where your vehicle will be parked, personal information about you and details about other drivers in the household, if applicable.

3.CarsDirect.com — This option provides an independent rate quote assesment for insurance shoppers. Visitors can fill out a simple form with information about their vehicles, the drivers in their household and other information, which is used to calculate car insurance rates for multiple companies. In addition to providing an estimate of insurance rates for several different companies, the Cars Direct calculator also supplies information related to special discounts or deals that you may be eligible for, through various insurance providers.

4. The Coverage Guide — This insurance calculator from Hartford Insurance allows individuals to calculate the amount they will pay for insurance for coverage that meets their individual/household insurance needs. This auto insurance calculator uses information that you provide about any vehicles on the policy, any drivers who will be on the policy and your household income amount (including, any assets) to decide the right type of coverage for your unique insurance needs. After determining which type of policy you will need, the insurance calculator offers suggested coverage limits. Visitors to the site will then, have the option to receive a personalized quote from AARP, The Hartford.

5. Yahoo Quick Estimate – The Yahoo insurance center provides a quick and simple way to get approximate rate quotes with their Quick Estimate feature. In addition to the Quick Estimate features, visitors can receive a more, personalized rate quote with Yahoo’s Personalized Quote feature.




Classic Car Insurance — Where Can you Find it?

January 17th, 2011 Tammy Posted in Insurance Categories No Comments »

Finding insurance for the actual worth of your classic car. However, getting the right amount of coverage for any classic car truck, van, motorcycle or hot rod is essential.

Classic Car Insurance: How is it Different from Basic Car Insurance?

Many providers cover classic vehicles, just like a regular-use vehicle with the same value as any other vehicle, expecting the car to be used in regular-use situations, higher mileage and valuing the vehicle in the same way as any other: the older the vehicle is, the less it is worth. However, there are several insurance providers that offer insurance that is custom-fit for classic vehicles, offering agreed value coverage, lower premiums and coverage that specifically applies to classic, antique and vintage automobiles.

Classic Car Insurance: Requirements

Many of these insurance companies place tight restrictions for classic car insurance. Most classic car insurance providers have strict requirements for where and how the car may be stored. For instance, classic car insurers want the car to be stored/locked up when it is not in a car show. The classic car provider may also require the classic car owner to put anti-theft devices on the car, as well. They will also place a limit on how many miles the vehicle may drive, possibly restricting the driver to 3,000 miles per year. Occasionally, classic car insurance companies will extend the mileage limit to 5,000 per year, but generally, 3,000 miles per year is standard for insuring classic vehicles.

Classic Car Insurance: List of Providers

  • American Collectors Insurance – This classic car insurance provider has classic car custom plans that include agreed value insurance, complete coverage, flexible usage, lower rates, and more. American Collectors provides coverage to classic vehicles in many different categories including cars, trucks, hot rods, motorcycles and other classic restorations. Visit American Collectors at http://www.americancollectors.com.
  • Classic Car Insurance – This classic car insurance provider offers independent coverage for almost any type of classic vehicle. Not only does this insurance company offer lower rates for classic cars, but they also assist in providing financing the purchase of a classic car, as well. These plans also include International Shipping Insurance. You can find Classic Car Insurance online at: http://www.classiccarinsurance.com/pages/aboutus.htm
  • Hagerty – Hagerty provides classic car owners with a list of the categories that they cover, as well as, the necessary guidelines for coverage. Classic car policies with Hagerty include flexible usage, agreed value, no deductible and several other features. In addition, Hagerty provides assistance in matters related to the Department of Motor Vehicles, as well. Visit http://www.hagerty.com/ to find out more about Hagerty’s classic car insurance.

While the three providers listed above, offer classic car insurance — many popular insurance companies may offer specialized policies to classic car owners, as well. The internet is an excellent resource for finding insurance companies who will offer customized classic car insurance to policyholders. In fact, your current provider may offer classic car insurance, all you need to do is ask or visit their website.




Affordable Auto Insurance for Senior Citizens

January 13th, 2011 Tammy Posted in Insurance Categories No Comments »

Senior citizens are some of the most experienced drivers on the road, but sometimes, older drivers have difficulty finding affordable car insurance. However, senior citizens should never pay more than they have to, which is why these tips can come in handy. In this post, you will learn some valuable tips and information about finding affordable auto insurance for seniors.

Senior Driver: Definition

Most people are not aware that insurance companies have specific criteria for who qualifies as a senior. In most settings, anyone who is 65 or older is typically considered a senior citizen. However, in terms of car insurance — senior drivers are those who are at least 55 years old or more. In addition, drivers who are 75+ years in age qualify for an entirely different division of car insurance.

Senior Driver: Rates

Insurance companies understand that lifestyles and driving habits change as people age. Statistics have shown that older drivers are generally, more patient and careful drivers than their younger counterparts are. Typically, senior citizens do not get tickets for speeding or reckless driving. In addition, most seniors do not drive fast or expensive sports cars, either.

Therefore, insurance rates for seniors are calculated, accordingly. Insurance rates for senior citizens are based on several different factors including their age, the type of vehicle they drive and their driving history. Therefore, drivers who are younger than 75 that have a good driving record will pay lower than average insurance rates. Unfortunately, due to factors such as, slower reflexes and deteriorating sight — drivers over 75 will be placed in a high-risk group, which typically results in an increase in their premium.

Tips for Finding Affordable Auto Insurance for seniors

  • Senior Discount – Some insurance companies offer it, some don’t. However, the only way to find out if your current company offers a senior discount is to call and ask. If your current insurance provider doesn’t offer a senior discount or you think you might be able to find a better rate with another insurance company — try the next money-saving tip.
  • Compare Quotes – This is one of the best ways to find affordable car insurance for seniors or any age group, for that matter. There are two ways to compare rates: over the phone or online. Seniors can contact multiple companies, individually (via telephone) or get a rate quote comparison for several different companies, at the same time (via the internet).
  • Other Discounts – There are multiple discounts that seniors can take advantage of — if they are aware of them. For example, seniors who don’t drive very often can qualify for low mileage discounts through some insurance companies. Other discounts for seniors include loyalty discounts (for maintaining a policy through the same insurance company for an extended period of time), good driver discounts (for maintaining a clean record for a set amount of time) and discounts for vehicle safety features (e.g. – anti-lock brakes, air bags and stabilizer control), as well.

Getting older definitely has its advantages, especially when it comes to cheaper rates on car insurance.




7 Tips to Saving Money on Car Insurance

January 11th, 2011 Tammy Posted in Insurance Categories No Comments »

If it’s been a while since you have reviewed your car insurance policy, chances are — you are paying too much for auto insurance. In this post, we will list seven tips for saving money on your car insurance bill.

-  Shop around for the cheapest car insurance — By comparing car insurance rates, policyholders can save anywhere from $100 to $1000 or more on their policy, each year. While the concept of comparing car insurance rates has been around for a long time, new comparison tools make finding the best rates, so much easier. Consumers can select a comparison website that allows them to input some information and in a few minutes, they will receive multiple insurance quotes from different companies — delivered right to their e-mail.

- Avoid paying monthly car insurance bills – Insurance providers can charge at least $5 per month extra for policyholders who pay monthly. If possible, try to pay your bill every six months (or per year). If you have to pay monthly, you can save money by setting up an automatic bill payment for your policy. With the auto pay feature, insurance companies charge less because they don’t need to send out a bill, unless your premium changes.

- Keep your credit record clean – Insurance companies base your premium on a number of different factors, including your credit history. Policyholders with a solid credit history will pay less on premiums than those with flaws in their credit report. Therefore, if your credit is good — keep it that way. If your credit is not in good shape — do what you can to improve your score. Steps that you can take to improve your credit rating include paying your bills on time, eliminating or avoiding getting credit that you don’t need and keeping your balances as low as you can. In addition, it helps to regularly check your credit history, in order to identify any errors and have them corrected right away.

-  Keep your driving record clean – Another aspect insurance companies consider when calculating premiums is your driving record. If you have a good driving record — you will pay less for car insurance. However, if you have had any accidents or violations in the last three to five years — your car insurance bill may be higher, as a result. Nevertheless, there is something you can do to improve your driving record: take a defensive driving course. Defensive driving courses are a great way to clear points off your license, which in turn, lowers your car insurance premium. In addition, if you have a teenager, at home — you can save money on car insurance by enrolling them in a driver’s education course.

-  Drop towing coverage – By removing towing services from your policy, you can save $10 to $50 per year, on your car insurance bill. In order to avoid needing tow coverage, keep your car properly maintained and plan ahead. For example, keep a spare tire in the truck, keep gas in your vehicle and avoid locking your keys in your car.

-  Drop car rental coverage – The cost of renting a small economy car (out of pocket) is about $20 to $25 per day. However, car rental coverage can be anywhere from $20 to $50 per year. By eliminating the extra coverage, you can save considerably on your car insurance bill.

Ask about available discounts – There may be discounts that you are eligible for, but you are not receiving. Therefore, it is a good idea to contact your current insurance provider to ask them if there are any discounts, for which you may qualify. Some discounts you may not be aware of include multi-car discounts (insuring more than one vehicle under one policy), multi-policy discounts (getting car insurance, as well as, homeowners, health and/or life from the same company) anti-theft device discount, low mileage discount, safety feature discounts (discounts for vehicles with air bags, anti-lock brakes and/or daytime running lights), part-time driver discounts (for college students or part-time drivers) and loyalty discounts (for long-time customers).




Auto Insurance Comparisons – What Information Will You Need?

January 10th, 2011 Tammy Posted in Insurance Categories No Comments »

Comparing auto insurance rates is a smart thing to do — not only to get the cheapest rate, but also to find the best plan for you. In the following information, we will explain what you will need to compare auto insurance rates and plans.

The process of comparing rates is simple. The first step is to choose a comparison website. When you have selected a website, you will be required to fill out a form that requests some information about you, the other drivers in your household and any automobiles that will be listed on the policy.

The most efficient way to compare auto insurance quotes is to make sure that you have all of the information you need before getting started.

Before you begin, you’ll be required to have the following information:

  • Your primary e-mail address – A valid email address will be required, in order to receive your quotes.
  • Your home address – Comparison sites need to have the address of where the car will be garaged or parked, in order to deliver the most accurate rate quote.
  • Personal information about each of the drivers that will be included on the policy – For each driver in your household, you will need to list personal information including their names, gender and age.
  • Driving information for all drivers that will be listed on the policy – You will need to have information regarding each driver’s history for the past five years. This includes whether or not they have had a violation or accident in the last five. If any drivers have had a violation, you will need to have the details of any violation(s) including the type of violation, the date of the violation and occasionally, any penalties that resulted from the violation, as well (e.g. – for infractions such as, a DUI or reckless driving). If any drivers who live in the household have been involved in an accident, in the past five years — you will have to state whether or not you (or members of your household) were determined to be, at fault for the accident.
  • Current insurance information -The name of your existing insurance provider and the amount of time you will have been insured under your current policy. In addition, you will need to know the type of coverage you currently have, your liability amounts, deductible amount and whether or not you have collision coverage. If you have not carried insurance, you may be viewed as more of a risk by insurance companies, which could increase your premium amount.

Warning: Some comparison sites request the social security number for all drivers (in order to check on previous driving violations). However, you should never have to enter your SSN to receive quotes. Therefore, if a website asks for this information, you may want to avoid getting quotes from that site, in order to protect your privacy.

It helps to be prepared, especially when comparing car insurance quotes. By staying organized, you will speed up the comparison process, which leads to finding the cheapest quotes and the best plans, in most efficient way.




Family Insurance Plans – Who Offers Them?

January 6th, 2011 Tammy Posted in Insurance Categories No Comments »

Just like most cell phone companies provide discounts to families who sign up for a family plan — car insurance companies offer valuable discounts for family insurance plans, as well.

Family Plan Basics

The most commonly asked question about family car insurance policies is whether you have to be related to the other drivers who you would like to be listed on the family plan. The answer is no. The only requirement for individuals being added to a family plan is that either everyone listed must live at the address on the policy OR drives one of the vehicles listed on the family policy OR have their own plan with the same address that is listed on the family plan. It is easy to meet the requirements and if your situation calls for a family plan — it makes perfect sense to cash in on the savings. Therefore, there is nothing to lose by finding out more about saving money through family auto insurance plans.

Top 3 Family Plan Providers

While many car insurance providers around the United States offer family insurance plans, it pays to know who has the best plans for families. The following are the top three car insurance providers who offer family auto insurance plans:

State Farm – State Farm is one of the biggest insurance providers in the U.S. and the good news is that they provide an excellent family plan to those who are interested in starting an insurance policy for their family (or other members of their household). State Farm is most known for their customer service and opening a policy through SF is fast and easy! Therefore, if you are searching for a simple way to save money on family car insurance — you may be interested in checking out more information about State Farm.

Allstate – Allstate is another well-known insurance provider that offers family car insurance plans/policies to meet your family’s needs. In addition to providing an excellent family plan for auto insurance, this company also provides substantial discounts to it’s customers, as well, which helps to lower insurance costs to driving families, even more. Some of the savings through Allstate include discounts for multiple cars, multiple drivers (on the same plan) and other money-saving discounts. Therefore, if saving money is your biggest priority — you might want to think about going with Allstate for all your family insurance plan needs.

AAA – AAA Insurance is well known for the safety features of their insurance plans. This top rated insurance company offers multiple roadside protection programs including, AAA’s automatic alert program (which alerts your insurance company, right away if you have been in an accident) and AAA’s Accident Assist program that provides immediate response and help to those involved in a serious collision. Therefore, if the safety of your family is important, (which it should be) you may want to consider doing further research on AAA’s Family Insurance Plan.

Whichever insurance provider you choose for opening a family plan, it is important to find an option that meets yours and your family’s needs, one that will provide the cheapest premium, the easiest accessibility for you (and your family) and a customer service department that is willing to work with you to meet your family’s car insurance needs.




Auto Insurance Agents in California – Where do you Start Looking?

December 27th, 2010 Tammy Posted in Insurance Categories No Comments »

California drivers understand the importance of finding cheap car insurance. Many California residents are dealing with factors such as, driving long commutes to and from work, the increase of the gas prices and for the most part, higher than average insurance premiums. However, there are several steps that drivers in this state can take to get the cheapest car insurance in California.

Bare Minimum Coverage in CA

The lowest amount of auto insurance coverage any California resident can have is mandated by California state law. Anyone who operates a motor vehicle in California is required to have a minimum of 15/30/5 liability coverage. What that means, is that in order to be legal to drive on California roads, one must maintain a minimum liability insurance policy of $15,000 (bodily injury coverage, per person), $30,000 (bodily injury coverage, per accident) and $5,000 (property damage liability). While 15/30/5 is the minimum coverage, it’s important to remember that auto insurance is for your protection. Therefore, getting additional coverage (i.e. – comprehensive/collision coverage) should always be carefully considered. However, even if you are getting just the minimum coverage required by law, it is still important to get the best price possible.

Ways to get Cheap Car Insurance in California

Getting the cheapest price for California auto insurance is easy, it just requires a little research, taking the time to answer a few questions and possibly making some changes to your existing policy.

  • Compare, Compare, Compare – In order to get the cheapest price for California car insurance, it helps to shop around and compare quotes from several different companies. Comparing car insurance rates can be done using various methods. The most popular method recently has become comparing quotes online. While online insurance shoppers can request rates from each insurance company, individually, the easiest way to compare auto insurance rates is by comparing multiple quotes, at the same time (with one form to fill out). The other method is to fill out a rate quote form for each insurance company and compare the rates either over the phone or by filling out an online form.

Tip: To get the most accurate comparison, be sure to enter the same information, each time you fill out a rate quote comparison form.

  • Raise your Deductible – The deductible amount is the amount you need to pay, in the event of a claim, before your insurance will pay their portion. If you can afford to pay a higher deductible, in the event of an accident — consider increasing your deductible to get lower insurance rates. For cheaper rates, experts recommend deductibles of $500 to $1,000 (or higher, but only if the deductible amount is manageable, in case of an accident).
  • Get Every Discount – While some insurance companies, like State Farm offer a Discount Double Check program to automatically ensure you’re getting every possible discount, other providers require a little digging. If you want to make sure, you’re getting the maximum amount of discounts, simply call or visit your existing provider and ask them to check it out for you.

Finding the cheapest car insurance in California is a great way to save a lot of money in the coming year. Follow these simple tips to get cheap car insurance in the “Golden State” of California.




10 Tips for Lower Car Insurance

December 23rd, 2010 Tammy Posted in Insurance Categories No Comments »

If you have been paying the same rates for car insurance, for years — maybe it’s time you had a look at your policy. Everyone needs more money and with a few, simple changes, you can lower your car insurance costs, substantially. 

Tips to Save on Car Insurance

  1. Change your deductible amount – The deductible is the money, each policyholder is required to pay before the insurance will cover the rest. If you raise your deductible from $200 to $500, it could lower the cost of your insurance coverage by 15 to 30 percent. Furthermore, by raising the deductible to $1,000, your insurance premium can be at least 40 percent lower.
  2. Drop unnecessary coverage – If you have an older vehicle with a low Blue Book value, you may want to consider dropping your collision and/or comprehensive coverage. On older vehicles, this coverage simply isn’t worth the price because in most cases, the claim will not exceed the monthly insurance premium and the deductible amount. Therefore, you’re basically throwing your money away. Consider the minimum coverage for your older vehicle– liability. If you’d like to assess the current value of your car, visit Edmunds.com or Kelley Blue Book.
  3. Stop paying duplicate medical coverage – Many drivers already have solid life, health and disability insurance plans. Therefore, there’s no need to pay for duplicate coverage on your car insurance. Find out the minimum personal injury protection (PIP) for your state and drop any excess coverage.
  4. Drive less or carpool – A lot of insurance companies offer a “low-mileage discount’ to drivers who carpool or to those who drive fewer miles per year, than average. Contact your insurance provider to find out if you meet the requirements to qualify for this discount.
  5. Buy a “low-profile” vehicle – Insurance companies hike up the insurance premiums for vehicles that are costly to repair, popular with thieves or have a poor safety record. If you’d like to check out the risk levels for different vehicles, go to the website of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (older models are listed at the bottom of the page).
  6. Better safe than sorry – Many insurance companies offer special discounts to policyholders who drive vehicles with safety features (because it lowers the risk of getting in an accident). Therefore, vehicles with safety features such as, air bags, anti-lock brakes, and daytime running lights will have cheaper insurance rates. If your vehicle doesn’t have these safety features, you can have them installed or purchase a car that already has these features for lower car insurance premiums.
  7.  Get discounts for long-time drivers – It’s important that you are getting every discount that is available to you and the only way to do that is to contact your insurance company. Discounts are available to drivers who are older than 55 and/or retired; are safe drivers with no accidents in the last three years; and those who have been with the same insurance company for a long time.
  8. Get discounts for teens -Teens can get cheaper rates if they are put on their parents’ policy instead of opening a separate policy. Households with teenage drivers can get major discounts on their car insurance policies. Discounts to teens include Good Student discounts and Good Driver discounts (available by passing an approved drivers’ education course). In addition, college students who attend school that is more than 100 miles away and don’t bring their own vehicle can qualify for discounts, as well.
  9. Put your insurance in one basket – Most insurance companies offer a substantial discount for policyholders who insure all of their vehicles on one policy. In addition, the premium can be lower if you purchase your homeowners’ and life insurance policies from the same provider.

Consider the costs of roadside assistance – It may be a good idea to consider getting roadside assistance through another source, rather than through your auto insurance company. Many cell phone companies and major credit cards have roadside assistance for little to no cost, per year.