Finding Cheap Auto Insurance – A Few Practical Tips

Every car owner needs insurance for his or her vehicle. That’s what the law says, and it exists for a good reason.
It can save you from unnecessary worries, plenty of hassles and expensive, sometimes devastating financial surprises – when you’re on and off the road.

Those who are extremely tight on money and go for minimum coverage are exposed to a serious financial risk if something bad happens.
In most cases, people interested in a standard full-coverage policy want it to include the three fundamental components: liability, comprehensive, and collision coverage.

For consumers who want to have extra layers of protection and can afford it, additional extended coverage options can provide them with even greater peace of mind.

There are multiple key variables that influence your rate, which eventually determines your premium.
Some of the common factors (which can vary from state to state) include your age, where you live, the number of drivers on your policy, the kind of vehicle you drive, your monthly mileage, and your driving history – to name a few.

Obviously, drivers with a spotty driving record (due to speeding tickets, at-fault accidents, or DUIs) can expect to pay much higher premiums.
Even issues like gender, marital status, credit score, or if you have a teen driver or a senior citizen in your household can have an impact on how much you’ll be required to pay.

But what are your options if you feel like you’re paying too much?
There are several methods to reduce your car insurance costs.

Some vehicle owners do so by cutting coverage (which can be risky) by dropping their collision and comprehensive insurance and opting for a liability-only policy.
Others choose to raise their deductible, agreeing to pay more out of pocket in the event of a claim, in order to receive a lower premium.

However, many drivers choose to take a different approach and shop around to find companies that offer the best value or cheapest auto insurance rates. With some research, you can find cost-effective plans with more protection for less money.

Looking for plans that combine more affordable monthly premiums with good levels of protection is the best way to prepare yourself for many types of unforeseen eventualities while getting more bang for your buck.

Figuring out the right balance between cost and coverage is the key to getting a clear picture of your options, getting more money-saving opportunities, and making a successful insurance purchase.

Whether you’re looking for a basic, thin, dirt-cheap policy, an average full-coverage plan, or a premium solution with every possible add-on or extra, advanced car insurance search technology with smart shopping skills can help you bring the costs down significantly.

As you can see, there is no simple universal recipe or one ‘right’ way to find the cheapest rate possible under any circumstances. However, let us share a few practical tips that can help you purchase auto insurance at a lower price.

1. Here’s an important word of caution: The desire to obtain the best price you can get for your plan is natural and legitimate. However, be careful of unrealistically cheap insurance offers.
   
   They may not provide sufficient coverage in time of need and may require absurdly high deductibles. Furthermore, they may have a prolonged claims process (often with a disappointing payout), inferior or no customer service at all, or may even turn out as a complete scam.
2. Avoid using shady ‘free quote’ services and dubious lead generation sites that do not compare different policies or quotes. These services likely make money by selling your private information to online marketers and businesses in the insurance industry.
   
   Using such sites is a sure recipe for getting bombarded with spam emails, text messages, and telemarketing phone calls.
   
3. State laws play a major role in how much you’ll eventually be required to pay.
   Make sure you understand your state’s minimum requirements in order to drive legally.
4. Insurance companies give a variety of discounts for things that some consumers are not necessarily aware of. For example:
   • Having a good driving record
   • Having specific car safety equipment installed
   • Insuring more than one vehicle
   • Bundling additional policies with the same company, such as life or homeowner insurance
   • Taking a defensive driving course
5. Price is certainly an important factor when considering which company to use. Still, you also need to make sure you’re choosing a reputable carrier with a good track record of making timely claims payments and having quality customer service.
   
   A low-cost policy will not help you if you’re dealing with a bad company that has a terrible reputation.
6. Remember, your ability to get the best deal possible largely depends on your willingness to invest time and effort in getting multiple quotes from multiple car insurers for the same coverage. Furthermore, you should do your due diligence to compare the quotes and determine which one offers the lowest price or the best value for your money.
7. Using car insurance aggregators is a great way to enjoy simple, fast, and pain-free policy comparison and shopping experience.
   
   However, since each comparison service works uniquely and uses different technology, algorithm, and methodology, you may want to try several of them to receive a broader perspective.
   
   In addition, not all insurance brands will necessarily be represented on all platforms, so if you want to be thorough – don’t put all eggs into one basket.
8. If you happen to be a city resident or low-mileage driver, consider buying your policy from a digital insurer that rewards safe drivers who don’t drive as often.
   
   With such driving habits, usage-based insurance can be an extremely affordable solution that may help you ease the financial burden.
9. Please consult with your friends and family regarding their individual auto insurance experience.
   Do they like their carrier? Do they hate it? Use the information they share with you to follow in their footsteps or avoid repeating the same mistakes.
10. Coupon codes can help you save even more, so be sure to check the insurance comparison platform and specific brand’s official homepage as well as third-party coupon portals for active promo codes.