Saving Money on Auto Insurance
Saving Money on Auto Insurance
Art Glasgow, Peck-Glasgow Insurance
Hartselle, Madison, Huntsville & Decatur Alabama
The price you pay for your auto insurance can vary by hundreds of dollars, depending what type of car you have, your financial credit history, your driving history and the insurance company you buy your policy from. Here are some ways to save money.
Shop around: Prices vary from company to company, so it pays to shop around. Get at least three price quotes. You can call companies directly or access information on the Internet. An increasing number of consumers and realizing the benefits and convenience of using a Independent Insurance Agent, such as Peck-Glasgow Insurance to improve the convenience and results by allowing the agent to shop among a variety of insurance companies to provide you with options of several competing companies.
Don’t shop by price alone. Ask friends and relatives for their recommendations. Contact your state insurance department to find out whether they provide information on consumer complaints by company. Pick an agent or company representative that takes the time to answer your questions. Also compare coverage. Pick a policy that tailors the coverage to meet your individual needs.
BEFORE YOU BUY A CAR, COMPARE INSURANCE COSTS: Before you buy a new or used car, check into insurance costs. Car insurance premiums are based in part on the car’s price, the cost to repair it, its overall safety record and the likelihood of theft. Many insurers offer discounts for features that reduce the risk of injuries or theft.
ASK FOR HIGHER DEDUCTIBLES: Deductibles are what you pay before your insurance policy kicks in. By requesting higher deductibles, you can lower your costs substantially. For example, increasing your deductible from $200 to $500 could reduce your collision and comprehensive coverage cost by 15 to 30 percent. Going to a $1,000 deductible can save you 40 percent or more. Before choosing a higher deductible, be sure you have enough money set aside to pay it if you have a claim.
MAINTAIN A GOOD CREDIT RECORD: A good credit history is very important to consumers in today’s world. Loan rates, payment terms and insurance rates are all influenced by your payment history. Research shows that people who effectively manage their credit have fewer claims. To protect your credit standing, pay your bills on time, don’t obtain more credit than you need and keep your credit balances as low as possible.
BUY YOUR HOMEOWNERS AND AUTO COVERAGE FROM THE SAME INSURER: Combining multi-policy discounts by purchasing home and auto insurance from the same insurer is a tact over looked by many consumers. Most multi-line companies offer these discounts, however it makes comparison shopping more important. In order for the agent to provide the best comparison, it is important to review both your home and auto at the same time, rather than shopping for auto insurance and taking the best deal and then looking at the home insurance with the same company. That may not provide the best value for your premium dollars.
ASK ABOUT GROUP INSURANCE: Many companies now have group discount rates for member of specialty groups. Common group discounts include AARP or retired persons groups, university alumni groups, chamber of commerce groups and professional groups. These groups discounts often range from 5% to as high as 30% discounts/
ASK FOR OTHER AVAILABLE DISCOUNTS: There are many other available discounts that often vary by the individual company. Discounts such as good student discounts, honor student discounts, life insurance discounts, drivers discounts, good driver discounts, defensive driving class discounts along with many others are available in some states and by some insurance companies.
The key is not just discounts, but the final price and the coverage that you need. Finding a good agent that will discuss and educate consumers in a professional way is a good source for finding insurance with the best value. Peck-Glasgow Insurance is an Independent Insurance Agency that works with the leading companies in the Alabama Auto Insurance market. We are available for comparison shopping and consultation.