Auto Insurance Shopping Tips: The Right Policy for the Lowest Rate
While we always recommend that you speak to a licensed insurance agent, here are some simple tips that can help you save money and get the right policy: Shop around. This is always the most important tip. Every insurance company has its own pricing algorithms that consider a wide variety of factors such as age, credit, and driving record. No company is the cheapest or most expensive for all drivers. The only way you can know for sure what a company's rate is for your situation is to get a quote from that company or from one of its appointed agents.
Decide what coverage you really need. For example, will you really need a rental car if you get into an accident or does your local body shop provide one free? Do you really want comprehensive coverage for your older vehicle? Do you have significant assets to protect that require high liability limits?
Think carefully about your deductibles. If you drive cautiously and are not likely to have an accident, you might choose to pay a higher deductible and save money on your monthly premiums. On the other hand, if you must have your car for work and you can't save up enough money to pay off a high deductible, you may be better off to pay higher premiums for a lower deductible. Think through the scenarios to make sure the insurance you are buying will work for your situation.