Saving money is more important than ever, especially when buying car insurance. Don’t assume that an insurance agent will know what kinds of discounts you or your car are eligible for; you should make every effort to find the best options for yourself.  CarInsurance.com will help you get the best possible deal, including many discounts you might not be able to find on your own.  Discounts can drastically reduce the cost of auto insurance, and you should take advantage of any that you’re able to. If you understand the discounts available to you and how they will affect your premium, you’ll be able to make better decisions about your coverage, and you’ll be able to save yourself quite a bit of money. 

Anything that reduces the risk the insurer takes on will usually equal a discount. Safety features often fetch discounts, including automatic seatbelts, airbags, anti-theft devices, and anti-lock brakes. You can also get car insurance discounts by taking defensive driving courses. However, bear in mind that any discounts connected to these classes will only apply if you take the class voluntarily; if you were required to take the class because of a citation or court case it won’t count. If you’re a good driver with no citations, accidents, or suspensions in the past three to five years, you can qualify for a safe driver discount. Or, if you’re a full-time student with good grades, unmarried, and under 25 you may also qualify for good student discounts depending on the insurer.

Often insurance companies will give discounts to people that stay with them for several years without having any accidents, and there are also renewal discounts. On the other hand, if you decide that it’s time to change insurance companies, you may be able to get a “proof of prior insurance” discount with the new insurer.  Some companies will even give you a discount if you had limits on your previous policy: if you’ve been a good driver in general, you’re a lower risk, which equals discounts.

If you own a home, condo, town home, or mobile home that you use as your principal residence you may qualify for a homeowner’s discount. Military – both active and retired, from any branch – can qualify for a special discount as well.  Some insurers will even give you a discount for insuring multiple vehicles with them, though you may only qualify if there are also two or more drivers. 

In addition to discounts, there are other ways to lower your overall cost. If you own an older car, it may not be either cost-effective or necessary to protect it with full coverage; you could use liability instead. Look at the value of your car versus your premium: sometimes insurance can cost as much as the car does! If your car is worth less than $2000, this is almost certainly the case.  The type of car that you buy can also affect your premium: sports cars will usually cost more to insure than your average sedan, as will cars that are frequently stolen.

There are some more ways to lower your insurance. People with older cars may find that it isn’t necessary to protect them with collision and comprehensive coverage. By comparing the book value of your vehicle to the premium you’ve been offered, you may find that you are paying as much for insurance as the car. If the car is worth less than $2,000, you will probably pay more for insuring it than it’s worth.

Additionally, remember that the type of vehicle you purchase can significantly affect your premium. A midsized sedan will typically cost less than a flashy red sports car. This also applies to vehicles that are stolen more frequently. Policyholders have many options for saving money on insurance. Gaining more knowledge about auto policies and premiums can help consumers take advantage of hidden discounts while making sure that they have the right protection for their vehicles. Lastly, a way to save money is to assume more risk.  If you decide to choose a higher deductible on your personal injury protection or comprehensive and collision coverage, it will lower your premium. The deductible is the money that you are required to pay before your insurance company takes over the rest.