As we head into the new year, many will resolve to tighten up their budget and look for ways to save money. If you haven’t reviewed your auto insurance in a while, now is the time. There are often ways to save on your auto insurance that you might not know about. Ironically, insurance carriers aren’t in the habit of reaching out to their customers to find ways to save them money – but we are! These are just some of the things to consider that might reduce your coverage costs.
Lowering Your Deductible
One of the easiest ways to lower your car insurance rates is lowering your deductible. As your car depreciates, it is wise to lower the out-of-pocket deductible. Sure, you might have to pay more to have your car repaired if it is in an accident, but it also won’t cost as much to fix an older car. And it might not even make sense to, unless the damage affects the vehicle’s function.
Check For Discounts on Auto Insurance in Summerville
A little secret is that there are a ton of discounts available on car insurance, but you have to ask about them. If your teen just made the honor roll or you become a member of an association, you would be surprised at how many different types of breaks you can get if you are proactive about it. The best place to start is by calling your auto insurance carrier and asking. If you don’t ask, you won’t know.
Driving Record
If you have blemishes on your record it can increase your premium, but they only last for so long. If you have expired tickets on your driving history, the insurance company is not going to call and offer you a lower rate. You have to seek it out yourself. And keeping your driving record clean in the future will also ensure that your rates won’t go up.
Participate in Safe Driving Programs
Not many drivers want to be recorded and monitored, but if you are okay with it, then you can participate in safe driving programs. It typically requires having a monitor placed in your car that can decipher your driving habits and how well you follow the rules. If nothing else, it might make you a little more cognizant of how well you are following the rules of the road.
Improve Your Credit Score
If one of your New Year’s resolutions was to be more financially stable, then improving your credit score can have a dual effect. Your credit score does affect your car insurance premiums. So by working on your credit, you can also lower your monthly bills and costs!
Explore Payment Options
If you are willing to be a little flexible with your payment options, then you might be able to get a break on your auto insurance rates. Some insurance carriers will offer you savings if you pay in one or two lump sums. Others offer breaks for things like direct deposit payment options. It might not seem like much, but every little bit helps!
Bundle Your Policies
Many auto insurance carriers will give you a discount if you choose them for all of your other insurance needs as well. Bundling your coverage is a great way to save money. It is also a convenient way of making one payment and knowing who to call if something happens. Not having five different insurance carriers keeps everything more manageable and way less confusing!
As we head into the new year, many will be researching ways to cut costs. If it has been a while since you have looked at your auto insurance coverage, now is the time. Not only do you want to maximize savings by comparing companies and quotes; you also want to make sure that you are fully covered and that your life circumstances over the previous year have not opened you up to insurance vulnerabilities. Contact Abri Insurance today and let us go over your current policies to make sure that you aren’t paying more than you should and that you are fully covered for the upcoming year!