Top tips for having low car insurance premiums:
Dull and inexpensive pays off at last! A wagon is less risky to insure than a sports car. Getting a low to medium priced mid-sized sedan or mini-van is the way to go. Too big and you cause too much damage. Too small and you take too much damage. The lower the price, the less there is to insure. Even if you are targeting a mid-sized sedan, be sure to shop the different cars within the class. There can be significant differences in your car insurance quotes.
Safety is the gift that keeps on giving. Having your car packed with safety features can save you money as well as your life. Features to look for include air bags, traction control, anti-lock brakes, and stability control. While front air bags have been common for years, side and curtain air bags are the new thing and very helpful. Stability control was found in a September 2004 study to reduce fatal accidents by 30% in cars and 67% in SUVs.
I’m a very good driver. Getting into an accident is the quickest way to make your premiums go higher. Getting a ticket is right behind that. Either one takes 3 to 5 years to clear before your premiums go down. Also, don’t drive too much. Lower miles, especially to and from work, reduce your risk of an accident and may reduce your premium.
Make it a family affair and save money together. Kids should be put under their parent’s policy for as long as they can. It gives the kids a discount, and gives the parents one too for a multiple car discount. Just make sure not to list the brand new driver as a primary driver on any vehicle, especially an expensive one.
Young or old, school is the ticket. If you are you and need a discount, get the student discount. You usually need to maintain a 3.0 GPA to qualify, and send in annual proof of this. If you are out of school, you are not out of luck. You can take a certified driver training or defensive driving class for your discount.
To shop, or not to shop. Quite a few consumers stick with the same insurance company for life. You could be missing out on hundreds of dollars a year. Loyalty can eventually pay off though with those carriers who have loyalty discounts. It’s worth asking about. Every one to five years, it’s good to shop around and get new car insurance quotes. Experts that are in the industry suggest that you obtain a minimum of three quotes before making a purchasing decision.
