As a driver, you want to have proper car insurance to protect yourself from financial loss in case of an accident. But it can be expensive to get the coverage you need.
Thankfully, there are some easy ways to save money on car insurance. These tips will help you to get cheaper rates, but it’s still important to shop around for the best coverage.
1. Keep a clean driving record
Maintaining a clean driving record can save you money on car insurance. Speeding tickets, accidents and other violations can raise your rates significantly.
Drivers with a clean record are also often eligible for safe driver discounts. These can range from 10 percent to 20 percent.
Other ways to get cheaper auto insurance include using a usage-based program that tracks your driving habits. Low-mileage drivers can score discounts as well.
2. Buy a safe car
It’s no secret that buying a car with a good safety rating can help you get cheaper insurance. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety conduct tests and rate cars based on their safety features.
You can save money on your auto insurance by buying a safe car, avoiding speeding tickets and keeping your driving record clean. Most insurance companies will lower your premiums after three years of clean driving.
3. Bundle your policies
One of the best ways to get cheap car insurance is to bundle your policies. This includes combining your auto, homeowners and life insurance all with one insurer.
Some companies offer 5-25% discounts on bundling policies. Ask your agent about other savings opportunities that you may qualify for. These include low mileage, loyalty and paperless policy discounts.
4. Look for discounts
When it comes to buying car insurance, the best way to save is to look for discounts. These include affinity discounts, no-claims bonuses, safety equipment discounts and low-mileage discounts.
The good news is that most auto insurers offer a wide variety of discounts. You can ask your current carrier for a list and check which ones you qualify for.
5. Practice safe driving
One of the best ways to save money on car insurance is by practicing safe driving. Avoiding speeding tickets and keeping a clean record will help you qualify for lower rates.
Most car insurance companies offer discounts for years of good driving. They will also look at your credit history to assess your risk.
6. Avoid speeding tickets
Getting speeding tickets is one of the most common ways to damage your driving record and raise your insurance premiums. Depending on your state, a single ticket could increase your rates by up to 35%.
Fortunately, there are some simple things you can do to avoid getting a speeding ticket and increasing your car insurance costs. These tips can help keep you and your family safe on the road and ensure you have the best coverage for your budget.
7. Take a defensive driving course
Taking a defensive driving course can help you become a safer driver and get discounts on your car insurance. It can also prevent you from racking up more points on your driving record, which can result in higher rates.
Whether you’re a young driver or a senior citizen, taking a defensive driving course can be a great way to lower your premiums and avoid increases in your car insurance rate.
8. Buy a car with a good safety rating
Choosing a car with a good safety rating can help you save money on your auto insurance. This is because cars that are deemed safe by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety can often qualify for special discounts.
The key to getting a great deal is comparison shopping. Compare auto insurance quotes from a range of companies before making your purchase.
9. Get a multi-policy discount
There are many ways to save on car insurance, but one of the most important is taking a multi-policy discount. Almost all insurers offer some type of discount when you bundle your auto insurance with your homeowners, renters or life insurance policies.
Another way to save is by choosing a lower deductible. Changing your deductible from $500 to $1,000 could cut your premium by 5-10 percent.
10. Shop around
One of the most important things you can do to get cheap car insurance is to shop around. Shopping around can save you hundreds of dollars over the course of a year.
This is especially true if you compare rates from multiple insurers. You can easily do this by using comparison sites.
