7 Tips for Saving Money on Car Insurance

Car insurance is one of those things in life that we just accept that we have to pay for.  In most cases car insurance is not optional; which is why you should make sure you are getting the best deal possible. Here are a few tips to help you in your quest:

1.  Shop Around. This seems like basic advice, but sometimes we don’t see what is right in front of us.  There have been stories of people saving as much as $100 per month just by switching auto insurance carriers. Working with a trusted insurance broker can be a great way to get multiple auto insurance quotes from a variety of insurance carriers without making multiple calls. There are also some new online insurance companies such as Root that tout pretty steep discounts (you can earn $25 just for giving Root a try using my link provided).

2.  Get a Multi Line Discount.  If you use the same insurance carrier for your car insurance as your homeowners or renters insurance policy, you will usually qualify for a multi line discount.

3.  Know Your Limits. Make sure you know your states requirements and whether you have more than you need.  This has to do with risk and I am not advising you to go with the minimum, but you should be aware that you might have more coverage than you need.

4.  Look for Overlaps. You may find that you have some services that you don’t need.  For example if you have an auto club such as AAA and also have the same service on your insurance policy, it may be overkill.

5.  Drive Safely. This may seem basic, but many insurance companies offer a good driver discount.  Making sure that you remain ticket and accident free will often allow you to qualify for and maintain these discounts.

6.  Check Your Mileage.  One factor in rating your insurance policy is how many miles you drive your car on an annual basis.  If you had a long commute at one point and no longer have the same, you might have a higher risk rating due to the company assuming you are on the road much more than you are.

7. Close the GAP. If you purchased have GAP insurance because you owed more than your car was worth you may not need it if you have paid your loan down significantly and the car is now worth more than what you owe. The insurance carrier will usually drop GAP insurance at your request (but not on their own), so it’s worth looking into.

In the end, price should not be the only factor in your car insurance decision. It is far better to have peace of mind than to save a few dollars every month.