Cheap Insurance

Auto insurance rates can vary by hundreds of dollars or more from one company to the next — even for the same coverage limits and deductibles. But choosing a plan based on price, not standard features and quality of service, can cost you more than you’ll ever save on your premiums.

That’s why it pays to shop around. You can have someone do it for you. But who wants the extra cost of an agent, broker or who is often a representative of several companies and may not have your best interests in mind?

Do it yourself and get better coverage, service and savings. Just follow these steps.

Make sure you get an accurate quote.
If you want to compare auto insurance quotes, you need accurate information. So before you start, take a few minutes to make sure you have the following information available.

Have the following information on hand when you shop:

* Your Current Insurance Declarations Page
– By matching your current deductibles and coverage limits you can be sure you’re getting the same protection.

* Vehicle Information
– Year make model and VIN
– Annual miles and distance to work
– Value of any custom or after-market equipment
– Type of alarm or theft recovery device

* Driver Information (For each household member old enough to drive)
– Drivers name, occupation, gender, number of years licensed, and Driver’s License number.
– Any accidents or violation in the past 3 years including dates, who was at fault, if someone was injured and the claim amount.

Get more than one quote.
If you’re only getting one quote to compare with your current policy, you’re probably going to end up spending too much. There are a lot of car insurance companies out there and each one has its own way of determining rates. Multiple quotes will give you a better opportunity to make the right choice. Some website aggregates will give you an opportunity to get several quotes from a limited number of companies. But to get a better understanding of the features and service a company offers you should contact them yourself. The service you get shopping is a good indicator of what you can expect if you purchase a policy.

Check the fine print.
When shopping for car insurance you need to consider more than price. To find out what you’re getting, what’s covered and what isn’t, remember these tips.
– Get your quote in writing and confirm the accuracy of each vehicle and driver you are insuring.
– Make sure your deductibles and coverage limits match your current policy.
– Ask about special features, such as Emergency Roadside Assistance.
– Find out if there are additional membership or broker fees.
– Are repairs guaranteed for as long as you own your car?
– What kind of payment options are available?

Tired of brown-bagging your lunch? Sick of staying at home for vacation? One easy way to make the most of your money is to take a look at your car insurance. Auto insurance represents a significant annual expense to mot people and these tips could save you hundreds, maybe thousands, of dollars.

1. Don’t put it off
Auto insurance rates go up and down — by hundreds of dollars a year. Which is why you should compare rates often. But how often is enough? I recommend you should compare your rate when the following events happen in your life.

* Your premium goes up
* You’re unhappy with your service
* You buy a new car
* You move
* Your marital status changes
* You add a new driver to your policy
* Your salary or assets increase
* Two years pass since you last compared rates.

2. Be ready
Getting a quote for car insurance is easy. In fact, you can get a quote online in less than 7 minutes if you have everything you need. Before you get started, make sure you have the following information available.

* Your Current Insurance Declarations Page
* Year make model and VIN of each car you’re insuring
* Your annual mileage and distance to work
* Value of any custom or after-market equipment
* Type of alarm or theft recovery device
* Name, occupation, gender, number of years licensed, and Driver’s License number of each household member old enough to drive.
* Information about any accidents or violation in the past 3 years including dates, who was at fault, if someone was injured and the claim amount.

3. Make sure you’re getting what you need
Before you get started, take a look at your current auto policy and make sure it’s giving you the level of protection you want or need. Consider increasing your deductible to lower your rate. Or increasing your liability limits to cover your new home or new income level. If you have an older car find out what it is worth. It may be wise to drop collision coverage and save some money.

4. Ask about discounts
Be sure you’re getting credit where credit is due. Not all car insurance companies offer the same discounts. But most companies will discount your rate if you have more than one car on your policy or if your car has safety features like air bags, automatic seatbelts and anti-lock brakes. Some companies even have discounts for young drivers who earn good grades or complete driver education courses.

5. Shop around
All of these tips are a great way to reduce your rate and get the best value for your insurance dollar, however, the quickest and easiest way to see the biggest drop in premiums is to shop around. Auto insurance rates can vary by hundreds of dollars, if not thousands, from one company to the next. And the service and features you get with one company may not be included with another. Shopping around and comparing rates is the only way to be sure you’re getting the best coverage and the best rate.