Reader’s Question:
I find my current car insurence it a bit too steep for my budget. Any ideas on how I can lower it even more?
Tim
Washington DC
When it comes to looking for auto insurance, there is more to it than just asking different insurers for you to get the cheapest quotations. Insurance companies offer different discounts that, if applicable, could end up saving you several hundred dollars each year. Through their extensive research and statistics, these companies have analyzed which group of people are have low risks in getting into accidents and are worth giving discounts to.
One of the most common discounts given is to those drivers who have a clean driving record. Having no accident or violation on your record for years means your risk of getting into one is quite low, and this can qualify you for a safe driver’s discount. It also helps (and could possibly get you another discount) if you have completed courses in your area on safe driving.
Next step, check your car. Is it a really sweet ride worth a ton of money or is it an old clunker that nobody would bother stealing? Does it have devices that will prevent others from successfully stealing it or make those kids run away screaming if they attempt to vandalize it? Can it keep its passengers safe in case of accidents? If your car has alarms, anti-theft devices, anti-lock brakes, airbags, seatbelts, then you can significantly lower your premiums even more if your insurance company offers discounts for car safety.
Here’s another idea. Do you currently have another car insurence policy, say a life or home insurance? You might want to check out with your current insurance company if they also offer auto insurance in Washington. Your insurance company might be one of those who offer a discount if you acquire multiple policies from them.
In order to get the best deal that you possibly can on your budget, it’s oftentimes necessary to do extensive research in order to know the difference between what you really need and what might simply be an added expense.
