Getting car insurance can be quite a difficult task. There are just so many insurance companies out there that are desperate to get your business that choosing between the good deals and the dubious deals can be daunting. But since taking out insurance is such a crucial and important thing to do, you have to wonder if getting the cheapest insurance you can afford would be the best idea.
Because of the fierce competition in the insurance market, premiums have been falling, which is good news for those shopping for car insurance. It is prudent to bear in mind however that price is not the most important part of your car insurance deal!
What you should look to achieve is lower premium payments in order to ease the burden of paying insurance. This can take a great deal of time especially when it comes to comparing the different insurance companies and what they might offer. However there are a number of things you can do to improve your chances of success.
Shop around. Each insurance company offers different setups - sometimes differing so drastically that attention to detail is a must. You can ask for quotations from these companies so that you can compare them with regards to the prices and packages they offer. An easier step would be to visit websites that list insurance companies offering affordable insurance packages.
Keep a good clean driving record. If you can show that you are a good driver then insurance companies will consider you a low-risk candidate, and thus will have lower accompanying premium rates
One great way to lower car insurance premiums is by installing a number of additional safety devices or features in your car. Some insurance companies will automatically lower premiums if they see anti-theft devices, automatic seatbelts and airbags.
Creative mathematics can also bring your car premiums down. Ask for higher deductibles on your car insurance policy. By increasing your deductibles you can lower your premiums from between 15 to 20 per cent. Just make sure that you can shoulder the difference!
If you own a second hand car or an old model car, ask to reduce its coverage. A car whose cost is equivalent to less than ten times the premium that you pay for a comprehensive coverage is not a good deal.
You can actually ask for more discounts from insurance companies. A number of discounts can be requested like lower rates if the car has a low annual mileage. There are also companies that grant discounts if you show proof that you have taken a defensive driving course. Passing an advanced driving test can also be used to ask for a discount.
Your profession can actually give you a better deal than you think. Ask around if your particular profession can be considered as a low-risk group. Insurance companies have a list of professions that are grouped between low risk and high risk. Low insurance risk professions are awarded with lower insurance premiums.
If you want to find the best car insurance deals in the UK then visit the www.englandcarinsurance.co.uk website. This innovative website lists all of the available car insurance companies in England, covering all types of cars and a wide range of packages and rates.
Your teen’s growing up fastand now they want the car keys. And while this milestone may have you aching for latter days, it will almost certainly have you clutching your wallet.
That’s because the vast majority of insurers consider drivers under 25 to have a higher incident of serious car accidents. And the increased risk associated with teen drivers can inflate your insurance rates by 50 to 100 percent, according to the Insurance Information Institute (I.I.I.).
Securing an Affordable Insurance Premium
Fortunately, by working together, you and your teen can minimize insurance costs, largely through insurance discounts.
You and your teen can help secure affordable auto rates and:
Keep a clean driving record. Your teen’s accidents and traffic violations can increase insurance rates more than you might think. A more serious offense like an OWI charge can boost premiums from a few hundred dollars a year to a few thousandand will stay that way for three to five years.
Get involved. Insurers reward teens who get involved in the community. If your teen volunteers or belongs to a civic group like the Girl Scouts of America, let your insurer know!
Maintain good grades. Most insurers reward student drivers who maintain at least a B-average with lower auto insurance ratesgiving your teen yet another incentive to do well in school.
Drive a safe car. If you can get your teen in a safe car, you’ll likely be compensated with a lower auto insurance rate. “Safe” vehicles include newer, mid-sized cars with multiple airbags. In addition, the I.I.I. recommends steering clear of cars that encourage reckless driving, such as sports cars and SUV’s.
All of these factors lower your teen’s risk of accident and serious injury in the eyes of your insurer, thereby lowering your teen’s auto insurance rates and saving you money!
Additional Tips
One of the most common myths about insuring teen drivers is that it’s cheaper to put a teen on their own policy. According to the I.I.I., it’s generally cheaper to add a teen driver to your existing policy than it is to purchase a separate policy. If your teen has a car of their own, insure it with your company to get a multi-car policy discount. But, as with all insurance types, shopping around before insuring your teen will help you find the best price for the coverage you need.
The I.I.I. also recommends that guardians talk to their teen about defensive driving. Accidents occur each year from teen’s using their cell phone, listening to music or chatting with friends while in the driver’s seat. Reminding them that driving is a privilege and discussing consequences of reckless driving will help reinforce good driving habits.
Not sure your teen will heed your advice? Fashion a driving contract stating their commitment to being safe on the road and their punishment for irresponsible driving. And while difficult, many parents are learning the value of incorporating a “drunk driving” clause to driving contractsdirecting their teen driver to call home for a ride if they’re unable to drive their car.
Get Your Responsible Teen on the Road!
When it comes to teen driving, open communication about responsibilities, habits and consequences will help your teen make good decisions behind the wheel, keep them safeand help you maintain affordable car insurance!
About InsureMe
Megan L. Mahan is a copywriter and insurance information expert with InsureMe in Englewood, Colorado. InsureMe links agents nationwide with consumers shopping for insurance. Specializing in health, home, life, long-term care and auto insurance quotes, the InsureMe network provides thousands of agents with insurance leads every year. For more information, visit InsureMe.com.