Not having auto insurance can bring big financial (and possibly even legal) troubles. But auto insurance can be costly. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways you can save money and still get good coverage.
Saving money starts with knowing your policy. Many times insurance companies try to squeeze in extras that just tack on more money to the bill. The first step is to look over your policy to make sure you are not being charged for anything that you do not want or need.
It also helps to understand insurance in general, as well as your state insurance laws. Most states have minimum coverages. You should know this and make sure your policy includes at least these coverage amounts.
Additionally, your deductible (the amount you must pay out of pocket before your insurance kicks in) greatly affects your cost. Try to go with the highest deductible possible. This will help a lot, but you should also choose a deductible that you could actually afford (just in case).
Once you understand your policy, you can save bundles by shopping around. Many insurance companies will give you quotes for simply filling out forms online. There are also some companies that will allow you to fill out one form and get a variety of quotes from different companies. Keep in mind, though, when you give them your information you will likely start getting contacted, either through email or by phone, so make sure to read the fine print and opt out of any mailing lists.
Above all else, the best way to get a good rate on auto insurance is to have a good driving record and a good credit record. Insurance companies base their rates on both of these factors, so the better they are, the lower price you'll get.
Insurance companies use many factors when deciding what to charge you. The ones above you can do something about and you can take control. There are some factors such as your age and location that you can not really do anything about, but if you take care of the things you can do something about, you will greatly lower your insurance costs.
Saving money on auto insurance is something everyone wants to do. Nobody likes shelling out a large sum each month for insurance. But when you need it, you will find it was well worth the cost. It is far less expensive to carry insurance then to pay out of pocket after an accident.
