Sometimes I wish I didn’t have a car because of all the expenses that go with it. You have to buy the car, fix the car, fill the car with gas, wash the car, and insure the car. There are probably other hidden expenses in there, too. If I didn’t have a car and I didn’t drive, I wouldn’t have to pay for all this. Unfortunately, I do need a car, so the best thing I can do is save money on car insurance and other car expenses.
Get Car Insurance Quotes
The first thing I did was get quotes from several different insurance companies. This made it easy to see which companies offered the best rates and what kind of coverage they offered. I soon found out that not all insurance companies offer the same kind of coverage. Always check the coverage along with the rates.
Get the Right Coverage
Insurance coverage options include collision, comprehensive, liability, and several other options. I have an older car, but I didn’t want to take any risks, so I kept collision. If your car is much older and you don’t owe any money on it, you could skip collision and save some money. Learn about the different coverage options available and how they protect you, your car, and your money. Your whole thought process will change when you know what you’re doing.
You need a minimum amount of liability, but it’s important to talk with your insurance agent, and do some research on your own, to understand what different kinds of coverage you really need, and which aren’t worth your money. Sometimes paying a little extra now will save a lot of money and hassle later on.
Get Discounts
Discounts are one of the best ways to save money on car insurance. A discount is kind of like your insurance company’s reward for doing something good. If you get your homeowners or renters insurance with the same company, they will usually give you a discount. If you drive safely for an extended period of time, you could get accident forgiveness. Some insurance companies reduce your deductible the longer you go without an accident.
Not all companies give the same discounts. Ask them for a comprehensive list of discounts available. Take advantage of every one you can. Do some research before you meet with your agent so that you have an idea of what kind of discounts they offer.
Drive Safely
I can honestly, and proudly, say I have never been pulled over by a cop. I haven’t been driving that long (not decades), but it’s been a significant number of years. Some people might laugh at me for it, but I feel good that I don’t break the law, have never gotten a ticket I had to pay for, and have never caused an accident because of it. I was in one fender bender, and it wasn’t my fault. Otherwise, my safe, defensive driving has kept me and many other drivers safe on the road.
Many insurance companies want to reward me for that. There are so many different methods of doing this that I won’t bother listing them here. Once you’ve chosen a company, ask them how you will be rewarded for safe driving. Take the initiative to keep the roads safe and you’ll pay less.
You won’t just pay less because of discounts and rewards, you’ll also just have lower rates overall. When drivers never get in an accident, their rates go down over time. However, every time you cause an accident, your rates go up a little each time, probably exponentially. Bad drivers pay a lot for car insurance. Drive safe, and save money.