The Discounts That Are Guaranteed to Save You Money on Your Car Insurance
- By Mike McDonough
- Published 06/2/2009
- Finances
- Unrated
Mike McDonough
Michael McDonough is a National Account Representative for QuoteScout.com, specializing in matching consumers with cheap car insurance. For more information on your car insurance, visit them on the web at http://www.QuoteScout.com.
View all articles by Mike McDonough
When you're shopping for a car insurance policy, what are you looking for? You want a high level of coverage, and you want it cheap. You don't want to have to spend every month eating Ramen and Easy Mac to pay your premiums! Believe it or not, finding cheap car insurance is easier than most people think. You just have to know the discounts that are guaranteed to save you money!
When you ask for car insurance quotes from major providers, especially if you're shopping for car insurance online, it's important to remember that this is a baseline. This addresses some of the insurance quotes you might be eligible for but very rarely lists all of them. Once you've got a car insurance quote in hand it's going to be up to you to finish haggling the price down.
How low can you go?
You're going to be amazed at what will save you money when it's time to start shopping for insurance for your vehicles. Here's a look at discounts offered by almost every car insurance provider in the continental United States that are guaranteed to save you money on your car insurance.
1) Your driving record. If you've been ticket and accident free for five years or more you're going to enjoy a five year good driver discount with almost any car insurance provider in the United States. Why five years? That's how long it takes most black marks to come off your license record!
2) The make and model of your car. The Highway Loss Data Institute publishes an annual report showing the total number of claims filed throughout the year for most new makes and models of car. If your car happens to be on that list it doesn't matter how good a driver you happen to be, you're still going to be paying more for your car insurance. On the other hand, if your car is in the "better than average" list you're going to be guaranteed an instant discount!
3) Your job. Did you know that because teachers and engineers are statistically less likely to be in an accident then other groups they pay less for their car insurance? Your job might qualify you for big savings on your insurance, but you won't know until you ask.
4) Your credit score. You're never going to get away from it, so don't even try. Improving your credit score will almost instantly improve your car insurance rate.
5) Your car's safety features. Car insurance companies like to save money, and if you can help them with that they're happy to return the favor! Seat belts, air bags and anti-lock brakes can help minimize the chances of an injury if you're in an accident and can save you 10% or more on your car insurance.
6) Your car's security features. If your car is stolen, guess who has to replace it? Right. Your car insurance provider. (Assuming you have the appropriate coverage, of course.) Therefore, they have a vested interest in making sure you get it back! Security features, such as a built in GPS locator, can save you hundreds a year on your car insurance.
When you ask for car insurance quotes from major providers, especially if you're shopping for car insurance online, it's important to remember that this is a baseline. This addresses some of the insurance quotes you might be eligible for but very rarely lists all of them. Once you've got a car insurance quote in hand it's going to be up to you to finish haggling the price down.
How low can you go?
You're going to be amazed at what will save you money when it's time to start shopping for insurance for your vehicles. Here's a look at discounts offered by almost every car insurance provider in the continental United States that are guaranteed to save you money on your car insurance.
1) Your driving record. If you've been ticket and accident free for five years or more you're going to enjoy a five year good driver discount with almost any car insurance provider in the United States. Why five years? That's how long it takes most black marks to come off your license record!
2) The make and model of your car. The Highway Loss Data Institute publishes an annual report showing the total number of claims filed throughout the year for most new makes and models of car. If your car happens to be on that list it doesn't matter how good a driver you happen to be, you're still going to be paying more for your car insurance. On the other hand, if your car is in the "better than average" list you're going to be guaranteed an instant discount!
3) Your job. Did you know that because teachers and engineers are statistically less likely to be in an accident then other groups they pay less for their car insurance? Your job might qualify you for big savings on your insurance, but you won't know until you ask.
4) Your credit score. You're never going to get away from it, so don't even try. Improving your credit score will almost instantly improve your car insurance rate.
5) Your car's safety features. Car insurance companies like to save money, and if you can help them with that they're happy to return the favor! Seat belts, air bags and anti-lock brakes can help minimize the chances of an injury if you're in an accident and can save you 10% or more on your car insurance.
6) Your car's security features. If your car is stolen, guess who has to replace it? Right. Your car insurance provider. (Assuming you have the appropriate coverage, of course.) Therefore, they have a vested interest in making sure you get it back! Security features, such as a built in GPS locator, can save you hundreds a year on your car insurance.