- 1). Consolidate all of your insurance plans into one company. Most auto insurance companies can also insure your home, rental, motorcycles, boats, and life. These companies will also give you discounts for carrying all of your insurance plans with them.
Consolidated? Don't need to change companies? Call your agent for a policy review. You may be entitled to savings with your current policy that you are not aware of. - 2). Track the mileage on your vehicles. Not all family cars are driven the same. Auto insurance companies do base your premium on how often the car is on the road. You don't need to pay the same premium for your work car as you do for the family recreational car.
- 3). Some companies offer safe driver discounts. If you have not been in an accident or had any violations in recent years, you may be eligible for a discount. Taking a defensive driving class or teens who take driver's education courses can lower your premium.
- 4). Let your agent know if you have added anything to your car that will make it safer, on the road or in the parking lot. Cars equipped with GPS tracking devices, security systems, even manual wheel locks will save you money on your auto insurance rate. When looking for a new or used car to purchase, always look for cars with airbags and anti-lock brake systems. It may also be beneficial to pay a little more for alarms and services such as OnStar, Teletrac, or Lojack.
Make sure to note where your car is parked overnight. Is it in a carport or a garage? - 5). Before you take your teen to get their driver's license, you may want to ask your agent exactly how much your premium will go up. It may be more beneficial for you to be a chauffeur for another year or two. If you decide to add your teen to your auto insurance plan add the driver onto an older used car -- not your new Mercedes.
- 6). Pay your bills on time. Auto insurance companies actually look at your credit score, and it is a determining factor in the rate you will get for your plan. If you pay your bills on time and have a good credit score, you will receive a better rate on your plan.
- 7). Some auto insurance companies automatically sign you up for additional services that you may not need and will cost you more on your premium. Watch out for services such as towing coverage, rental reimbursement and uninsured motorist property damage.
- 8). Increase your deductible. This can be a risk factor simply because it can cost you more in the long run. However, one easy way to reduce your auto insurance rate is to increase your deductible. Your deductible is the amount of money you have to pay for damages before your insurance will pay.
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