4 Quick and Simple Car Insurance Tips That You Should Apply to Save Big

These days, a car represents a real necessity, not a luxury. You need it to do your weekly grocery shopping, go to work, pick up your kids from school or escape in the middle of nowhere for a few days to recharge your batteries. But let’s face it: our cars also trigger a long list of costs that we cannot avoid. We have to spend a considerable amount of money on fuel, parking, repairs and upgrades and also on car insurance. Auto insurance is mandatory in most states, which means that you should carry at least a minimal amount of coverage to avoid fines and other penalties.

Moreover, the right policy protects you against numerous risks, including damage to your car caused by extreme weather conditions, theft, property damage and injuries resulted in an accident that you are responsible for, acts of vandalism, fire, flood and so on. There are numerous threats that may be waiting for you just around the corner. This is why you have to take all the necessary measures of precaution and buy as much coverage as you need to attain piece of mind and benefit from an optimal level of protection. Below you will find 4 simple tips that will facilitate your car insurance buying process and help you save time and money.

1)      Know Your Coverage

Did you know that your coverage is actually comprised of different policies that serve different purposes? For instance, bodily injury liability and property damage liability are policies that cover your back if you cause an accident resulting in injuries or financial losses. Because liability coverage always protects the victim’s best interest, it is mandatory in most states. Uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage covers your damages and/or injuries in case you get hit by an uninsured or underinsured driver.

Since in some states more than 30% of all drivers choose to defy the law and refuse to purchase auto coverage, these 2 types of policy usually come in handy and represent a smart investment. Collision coverage covers all damages to your car up to the book value of your vehicle. Last, but definitely not least, comprehensive coverage allows you to cover your prejudice caused by exterior factors that are beyond your control (fires, floods, theft, vandalism).

2)      Be Extra Careful When It Comes to Buying a New Car

The type of car that you own influences your auto insurance rates. A model that carries a heavy price tag will come with bigger premiums, because it would be costlier to repair or replace than a cheaper one. Moreover, if your vehicle is expensive to fix (in terms of both labor and parts), be prepared to pay a little bit more than those who use pocket change to keep their cars running like new. Also, models that are involved in collisions or are stolen frequently could also lead to considerable surcharges, so you may want to do a little research on your own before deciding to buy a new car. To make an informed purchase, all you have to do is to consult the info provided by HLDI (Highway Loss Data Institute). According to the statistics provided by this source, large vehicles are the safest and trigger the smallest number of injury claims, compared to small 4-door and 2-door models that trigger the highest collision costs and the biggest number of injuries.

3)      You Can Compare Quotes Online

Did you know that you can compare car insurance rates by zip code with Insurance Quote Depot by simply surfing the Internet? This is the simplest method to get free quotes, analyze various policies brought to you by different carriers, make an accurate price-benefit comparison and discover the most attractive deals.

4)      Your Most Important Attributes Impact Your Car Insurance Rates

Most drivers are unaware of the fact that some of their most important characteristics influence their monthly insurance premiums a great deal. For instance, unmarried men under 25 spend more money on auto insurance than older beneficiaries who are also married. The explanation is quite logical: older drivers are typically much more experienced and able to avoid a collision, while married ones tend to be much more prudent when they get behind the wheel. Moreover, your driving history also says a lot about you and determines the value of your premiums.

Don’t expect any favors from your insurer if you take pride in an impressive collection of speeding tickets or if you file claims for minor losses that could easily be covered out of your own pockets. People with a clean record (no tickets, no accidents and no drama) manage to get the best deals, in terms of car insurance. Your location is another important factor that you should consider. According to recent studies, the most expensive policies are covering the backs of New Jersey-based drivers. At the same time, in North Dakota residents have the chance to profit from some of the lowest car insurance rates that they could ever dare to dream about.

This doesn’t mean that you have to move to a different state to save big on insurance. But there are other things that you could do to unlock additional discounts. For instance, you could install extra safety features on your vehicle or invest in a defensive driving course to save a pretty penny when it comes to buying auto coverage.

Whatever you do, remember that proper planning and research can bring you one step closer to the cost-effective policy that you need and deserve. Use all the resources that you can get your hands on, talk to people with a solid auto coverage background, compare car insurance rates by zip code and get a bulleted list of costs and benefits from your favorite carriers. At the end of the day, you should be able to determine how much coverage you need, how much you can afford to get and how much is too much when it comes to auto insurance without having to consult an agent.