Car insurance is an expensive — and mostly inevitable — aspect to owning a car. Some of the reasons coverage is so costly are things you can’t easily change, like your age and where you live. Other factors, though, are within your control. Making the right choices on them could help you save.
Here are eight ways to lower your auto insurance costs.
8 tips to save on car insurance
Many of these suggestions take some time and work, but you’ll be repaid with lower yearly premiums, perhaps for years to come.
1. Obtain multiple quotes
One of the best ways to save on car insurance is to compare quotes from multiple insurance companies. In a 2019 poll by Consumer Reports magazine, two thirds of readers who obtained three or more insurance quotes saved money on their premiums.
You can shop around for the best car insurance by directly contacting insurance companies — either online or over the phone.
As a rule, large insurance carriers offer online tools that provide estimates of how much you can expect to pay, depending on the coverage limits you’ve selected. Keep in mind that these tools are only estimates, and may not paint a precise picture of what you’ll actually pay in the end.
To receive an exact rate quote, you will be required to provide some personally identifying information, including your driver’s license number and the car’s vehicle identification number, also known as the VIN.
If contacting multiple insurers and comparing their rates seems intimidating, two shortcut alternatives promise to minimize that hassle:
The first is to have an independent insurance agent or broker compare auto insurance rates from a number of carriers for you. Such companies include online brokers like The Zebra and Policygenius.
The second option is to use an online insurance marketplace or comparison site that allows you to gather information on multiple policies at once. There are a number of such online tools out there, including Money’s car insurance comparison tool.
Ideally, you should also read online reviews for insurance companies you may be considering. It can also be valuable to ask friends and family for suggestions on insurers that have worked well for them in the past.
One of the best ways …….