When you’re insuring your first car or looking to get a new plan, your goal should be to remain adequately covered in case of an accident, but not pay more than you need to. Many people, unfortunately, overpay because they don’t want to spend time buying car insurance. Here’s a look at what you need to do when buying car insurance.
Amount of Coverage
In order to find affordable auto insurance, first, figure out how much coverage you need. The requirements vary by state so find out what kind of coverage is required where you live. If you’re a first-time driver needing a comprehensive overview of car insurance before you go on, there are a number of guides available online.
Review Your Insurance
If you already have insurance, go through your current policy or contact your insurance company to get all your information such as the amount of coverage you have now, how much you are paying for it, and your yearly and monthly insurance costs. You now have a figure to beat.
Your Driving Record
You should take note of how many tickets you have had recently. If you can’t remember the exact number, check with your state’s motor vehicle department. If a ticket is about to disappear, it will improve your driving record so you should wait till that happens before you get any quotes.
Get Competitive Quotes
When it’s time to start shopping, set aside at least an hour and have your current insurance policy, your driver’s license number, and your vehicle registration at hand. Start with online services to get a suitable quote for an insurance rate. Remember that not all insurance companies participate in these one-stop-shopping sites, so if a recommendation from friends and family or other research points to a company that you think might be a winner, you should go directly to its website or call the toll-free number to get your quote.
Shop for Discounts
When you’re looking around, ensure you explore all your discount options which you may be able to get for things like a good driving record, your car’s safety or security equipment, and even certain occupations or professional affiliations. Some companies also offer lower rates if you enroll in ‘pay-as-you-drive’ plans and some give substantial discounts for young drivers who have high-grade point averages.
