If you have been shopping around for car insurance recently you know that rates can run you over $500 a month in some cases. Yes, some people are paying as much for their insurance coverage as for their rent. Fortunately, the search for very cheap car insurance premiums is not fruitless. With some knowledge and preparation you can get great rates and comprehensive coverage.
You first have to understand how insurance companies price their policies. Your insurer evaluates your risk and then increases or decreases your rate accordingly. If the auto insurance company thinks you are a safe driver and unlikely to get into an accident, you will most likely get inexpensive premiums. However, you if have a spotty driving record with accidents and moving violations, be prepared to pay sky-high rates.
How to Find Very Cheap Car Insurance Premiums
Some factors that influence your premium like your age, gender, marital status, and where you live are largely beyond your control (of course, you could always get married to reduce your auto insurance rates, but that might not be the best idea). Luckily, there are lots of factors that are within your control.
Here are a few tips to get the best rate:
Keep your driving record clean. If you can go three years without an accident or moving violation, many insurers will give you a “good driver” discount.
Never let you car insurance lapse. If you drop coverage, even for a brief time, it is likely to cost you much more to reinstate it. So keep current at all times.
Take a defensive driving course. Many insurers offer a discount if you take a driver education course, so check with your carrier to see what classes are available and which will get you the best rate.
Choose your car carefully. A zippy sportscar or massive SUV with a huge engine will be costly to insure, no matter how good a driver you are. If you want to get very cheap car insurance premiums it’s best to go with a less expensive car with a small er engine like a Nissan Sentra or Honda Civic. It might turn as many heads as a Cadillac Escalade, but you’ll have a lot more money in your pocket each month.
If you are a student, keep your grades up. Many insurers offer a “good student” discount if you keep your GPA above a certain level. This is not because the insurance company cares that you aced your last test, it’s because students with higher GPAs tend to be more responsible behind the wheel, causing fewer accidents.
Perhaps the most important step in finding very cheap car insurance premiums is to compare rates from several different companies. In some states more than 200 insurers are competing for your business. So even if you compare rates from six or more companies, you are still only getting a small sample of the market. Remember, auto insurance is a competitive business so shopping around really does pay.
To start your car insurance search you just need to enter your zip in the form at the top of the page. You will then be connected to the best discount insurance companies in your area. Click on one or more companies to instantly compare rates and get the best premium possible.