Auto insurance policies represent a significant expense to most drivers, and therefore it is important to understand exactly how they work. Education is the key when dealing with insurers and by taking advantage of the advice in this article, you will have a leg up when it comes to being a wise insurance customer.
When considering auto insurance, remember to look for your available discounts. Did you attend college? That could mean a discount. Do you have a car alarm? Another discount may be available. Remember to ask your agent about what discounts are available so that you can take advantage of the cost savings!
When it comes to car insurance, a good tip is to pick a more affordable choice of car, especially if you have a teenager of driving age in the household. For instance, if you have a choice between a sedan or a sports car, go with the former. Insurance for a sports car is always more expensive.
Know the limits of your insurance coverage before you install valuable aftermarket parts on your automobile. Insurance usually won’t cover the cost of aftermarket parts, but will add to the value of the vehicle.
When getting car insurance is not a wise idea to only get your state’s minimum coverage. Most states only require that you cover the other person’s car in case of an accident. If you get that type of insurance and your car is damaged you will end up paying many times more than if you had the proper coverage.
Rental car policies vary, but most allow only an immediate relative, who is of age, to drive the rental car. Be sure to pay special attention to the rental contract as it will state who is allowed to drive the car. Some rental companies will require anyone driving to sign the agreement and provide their driver’s license. It is also possible for the rental company to charge an additional fee for additional drivers.
If you can afford it, try to pay your automobile insurance premium in full. By paying in full, you may be able to avoid the interest charges that may be added by paying with monthly payments. Some companies will also provide you with a discount for paying your premium in full.
Get liability-only coverage. This policy is the cheapest one you can get that still follows all mandatory minimum state laws. Just remember that it does not cover you or your vehicle, only the other person and their vehicle. In the event your car is damaged in some way, you would have to pay for the repairs yourself.
Check out your state’s minimum insurance guidelines, and follow them. Some states only require you to have liability coverage, but others require personal injury as well. Make sure you know your state’s practices so that you do not fail to meet them, and end up with a ticket for not having enough coverage.
Do the math before filing an insurance claim to see if it is worth it. Insurance companies love to raise rates on drivers who file claims, it’s the nature of the industry. Avoid making claims that aren’t going to net you much money back. If you are filing a claim for two hundred dollars, is it really worth the extra premiums you’ll pay in the future?
Keep your insurance updated with who is actually driving your car. A lot of parents forget to take their children off of their insurance even after they have moved out and gotten coverage of their own. The more drivers on your policy the more you are paying so make sure and keep it up to date.
In many states it is now illegal not to have car insurance. If you do get into a bad accident, your auto insurance will pay a percentage of any damages found to be your fault. Not having auto insurance could not only get you a ticket, it could also mean that you are left with huge bills.
Although it may seem strange, try to purchase an older vehicle when looking for a new car. This is because the insurance rates on older vehicles are not nearly as high as on newer ones. If you already have insurance and you switch to an older vehicle, make sure to let the insurance company know.
Increase your deductible on your auto insurance policy. You can see the greatest reduction in the cost of your policy by doing this. By raising the amount of money you will be out of pocket in case of an accident, you will be putting the insurance company at a smaller risk, that will, in turn, lower your rates.
For most drivers, auto insurance is something to be taken quite seriously. Having the right coverage and dealing effectively with an insurer can make a significant financial difference in the life of any car owner. Making liberal use of the advice in this article is a terrific way to start acquiring the necessary knowledge.
