The initial insurance rate quote is great in that it gives you a ballpark of what to expect from each potential auto insurance company. But it's not the final word in your insurance rates. Once you have narrowed down your auto insurance quotes to a few contenders, here are some things you can do to reduce those rates even further.
Look for Organizational Discounts
Online estimate calculators don't take into account a lot of professional or organizational discounts that you could be eligible for. Whatever you're involved with, bring it up with your insurance person and see if you can get a discount.
Ask About Good Driver Programs
Good driver programs for teens will depend on their grades, typically. But good driver insurance rates for adults may require you to have a monitoring device that tracks different factors like your average driving speed, your acceleration statistics, and the intervals you tend to drive. Not all insurance companies offer these, but they can get you some hefty discounts if you prove to be a solid driver. Many insurers accept a form of driving school for a reduction in rates, especially for young drivers or those with accidents on their record. For more information, contact a school like GoldenTech Driving School.
Play Around with Deductibles and Coverage Limits
The deductibles on your insurance quote are based on the average consumer. But you could raise your deductibles to get a lower rate quote. You may also be able to eliminate certain types of coverage by signing a waiver.
Bundle Insurance
If you will also be needing renter's insurance or home insurance, you could look at bundling these options together for a quote that is reduced on each policy.
Be Aware of Insurance Rate Brackets
Even when you do choose an insurance company and sign up for a policy, it is a good idea to stay aware of the items that determined your insurance rate and keep an eye on when those factors change. Take age as an example. Each insurance company will have its own age brackets that help them determine rates, so you can keep an eye on when you cross one of those thresholds and make sure your rates go down.
Miles driven is another example. Your rates may be different if you drop from 8,000 to 7,400 miles driven per year. But unless you know exactly where the cut-off mark is, you don't know how to gauge how close you are to an insurance break. In the end, your insurance carrier choice makes a big difference, but so does your knowledge of how each company is calculating your insurance rates.
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