Car Insurance Rates – Can You Lower Them?

Insurance rates are expensive and often unaffordable for the average consumer, especially if they're poor. But that doesn't mean you can't get them lower for your specific situation. It might not be easy but you can do it! Learn how to lower your car insurance rates in this informative blog post by reading on.

If you are shopping around to find the best rate possible, here are 7 ways to find a low cost provider.

1) Find the cheapest car insurance rates in your area.

Looking for the cheapest car insurance rates in your area can be done by using each of these websites to compare quotes. Each company will have a different price range that they quote. You just have to decide which company has the best rate for you.

2) Use a local agent from the company you are interested in, or sign up with them through an online agent like Allstate, Farmers, and GEICO.

A local agent can usually get you a better quote than their nationwide counterparts because they know all of the different rates throughout all of their offices across the country. In addition, they can usually refer you to a local agent if you're interested in switching companies.

3) Don't leave your credit score behind.

Your credit score is one of the biggest factors affecting your car insurance rate. The better your score, the cheaper your insurance rate will be. Lenders like to see a solid history with at least one major credit card and some stable income from at least three months. If you have bad credit or no credit, start building it up now to get a better deal on your policy.

When shopping for new car insurance quotes, make sure that you list all of your vehicles on the application so that you're only paying for what you need and not what other people possibly need.

5) Sign up for a good driving class.

If you have a history of getting a few violations, or are in an at-fault accident, consider taking defensive driving classes. Most car insurance providers will offer some kind of discount if you take defensive driving classes in your local area. Make sure to check with them before just signing up for any class because they may require you to take their specific class.

6) Decrease your usage to lower your premium.

If you're the type that only drives once or twice a week, ask your insurance provider how much it would be to decrease the usage on your policy and save money by adding less people as well as raising the mileage limit.

7) Consider getting your car serviced.

Just make sure you get your oil changed and maintenance done to keep your costs low. The less issues you have with your car, the better deal you can possibly get on an insurance policy.

8) Take a defensive driving course.

Most drivers have heard about defensive driving courses, but a lot of them don't know that these courses will actually lower their insurance rate. This course teaches new and experienced drivers how to drive more safely on the road which can lead to lower premiums for everyone who takes the class! Ask if this class is available in your state before signing up for one in another state.

9) Shop around.

There are numerous insurance companies out there that will work with you to get the cheapest rates possible. Look through all of the different companies' websites to get a good feel of what each company offers so that you can compare.

10) Make sure your car is safe, and is still "affordable".

Do not make any drastic upgrades or changes in your car for your insurance rating because it could lower it substantially. You want to keep a low-risk score, so make sure that you stay current on your maintenance from your oil changes (which are typically done every 3,000 miles), etc.

If you have to look into an SR22, you can still get a quote from other companies. Just remember that the cost of the policy with an SR22 will be much higher than it would if you didn't have to carry one.

12) Check your driving record.

If you've had too many accidents and/or moving violations on your record, check with your state's department of motor vehicles to see what they will allow in regards to updating your driving record. In some states, if you stay at the same address for two years straight, and do not get any violations or accidents, you can have this removed from your records.

Insurance rates have been known to exceed $5,000 annually for some cars! That's too expensive for most people, especially with the economy the way it is. If you don't have the money to pay that much out of pocket, you should consider getting a cheaper car or getting one that is more fuel efficient.

Once you get a policy and start making payments on your vehicle, try to maintain your credit score as much as possible. Paying off your monthly car insurance bills in full will help with avoiding any late fees or negative impacts on your credit score. This will also keep your record clear and pristine!

16) Use websites to shop quotes.

Before you start looking for quotes, make sure that you check out the websites of your current insurance provider. This way, you can see if your current provider even has discounts or other perks such as accident forgiveness or a low deductible to help lower your premium. Some sites also allow you to compare many different companies, which can also help with finding the best rate.

17) Don't pay for full coverage.

You might be tempted to go with 100% full coverage because it's cheap for one year, but think twice about it. You should only pay for the coverage you actually need. If you just got married, you don't need to keep your family on your policy just because they are listed. If you are single, and can get a low single person's rate, then that is more than likely what you should go for.

18) Group your cars together.

If you have multiple cars and can keep them in one policy with the same company, do it! That way, if something happens to one of your cars, all of your cars will be covered at once. You can always add them in later if needed.

19) Consider cutting down on driving hours during peak times.

In some states, the insurance companies can raise your rates if you drive during certain times of the day. This will happen if you have a history of accidents or tickets during these times. You can always get an SR22 at that point to help lower your rates.

20) Keep up with maintenance! 

Don't let your vehicle sit too long between oil changes, tire rotation, and other mechanical needs. Some insurance companies will raise your rates if they think you are not using them and aren't keeping up with them.

Conclusion

Some of the things mentioned are more intense and will require a lawyer's help, but if you can get those off your record, you should be good to go for a much cheaper insurance rate. If you are not covered for accident forgiveness or accidents alone, it may be better to get an SR22.

Right now is the best time to get your car insurance online and save some money! The economy is in rough shape right now, so this is your chance to save money on your next car insurance policy and get a great deal!

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