Whether you’re rolling down the street in a brand new sports car or trusting “old reliable” to get you places, there’s one thing all car owners face – finding car insurance. The trick isn’t to merely find car insurance, but to find good coverage that’s also budget-friendly. That may seem like an impossible combination, but there are several things you can do to ensure you’re checking off both boxes.
- Be Wary of the Ads
Big expensive ad campaigns are everywhere; TV, radio, print, social media, they’re literally all over the place. Many insurance companies spend millions of dollars a year on advertisements to try and convince you they have the cheapest insurance. Don’t fall for the marketing. Those big companies simply pass the cost of advertising on to you. If you’re considering new car insurance, it’s best to meet with a local agent you trust. The Insurance Outlet is locally owned and operated, and because we’re an independent agency, we’re able to shop around for the best coverage at the best price .
- Know the Details
If you want to get an accurate quote on car insurance, you need to know all the details of your car. Their estimate depends on your car type, year, make, model, your age, driving habits, etc. Having all this information with you will ensure an accurate quote.
- Don’t Ever Assume
Many people make the mistake of assuming that companies like Geico or Progressive are the cheapest, and don’t even bother to search anywhere else before committing. Little do they know, they could’ve saved themselves more money and had better coverage with a local provider.
- Accept a Higher Deductible
Consider a higher deductible. This lowers your payments. Obviously, that means that if you were to get into a crash, you’d have a higher out-of-pocket expense, however, you could set some money aside each month for such an emergency thanks to the lower monthly premiums.
- Always Inquire About Discounts
It never hurts to ask about discounts. Some possible ones include a bundle discount for having other insurance policies (such as homeowners’, umbrella, life, etc.). You might also get a discount for having certain safety features in your car or for having a great driving record.
- Consider Your Credit Score
Your previous missed payments might adversely affect your car insurance quote. Most states allow insurance providers to check your credit score. If the score is too low, providers may only be willing to cover you at a higher premium. Fortunately, there are things you can do to improve your credit score and get things back on track. So this dilemma is only temporary if you make strides to get everything in order.
- Pay Your Bills Consistently
Along that same note, the best way to get a rate on auto insurance, or anything else for that matter, is to have a good (or great) credit score. How do you do that? By paying your bills on time. You’d be amazed at how fast your score will rise with consistent payments. Be sure to track your score on a regular basis to see how it’s improving. Taking precautions now will lead to better payments, if not now, then in the future.
For more inquiries, please contact one of our agents and we’ll be happy to help you further!
