This writer knows from
experience the hardship and the hassle when her daughter was involved in a near
fatal collision and the first stop after the hospital, was the insurance
companies who faced a $2 million lawsuit to pay for hospitalization, a head
injury team, specialists, plastic surgeons, and the like. I thanked God that I
was loaded with cover and at least did not have to worry about money. Insurance
is the number one need for any individual driving or owning a car. Below are Top
7 tips to save on auto insurance
1
Do all your
insurance business with one company. As a business owner you will probably have
many policies and whether for auto insurance, commercial insurance or any other
kind of insurance have them under one roof so that you become used to your
agent and can establish a relationship with him to take care of your needs. Buy
both your home and auto insurance from the same company as you will get a
discount, sometimes up to 10%.
2
Ask your
secretary to go online and get five or more quotes from different insurance
companies so you can compare costs and get all the cover you need for an
affordable price. When the agent you are working with knows that you are
comparing costs he will in all likelihood scour the policy terms and conditions
for a better rate. Have all your policies under one umbrella.
3
Follow the rules
of the road and do not speed. Speeding tickets can pile up and jack up your
premiums. This is not something people really take into consideration.
4
Increase your
deductible on the vehicle as this can reduce your insurance premium by 5% to 10%.
5
Park your vehicle
in the areas assigned for the public and do not park in front of hydrants,
loading zones and blocking emergency slots as you will be ticketed for them.
6
If you are
strapped for money purchase a car that costs less and save on insurance
premiums.
7
If you have
separate policies for the different types of insurance buy them all from the
same company as you will get a discount for giving them all the business and
save on your insurance premiums.
More tips and auto insurance advice
Take advantage of low mileage
discounts which are being paid to motorists who drive a lower than average
number of miles a year. These low mileage discounts also apply to drivers who
car pool to work.
Establish a solid credit
history as insurers are using credit information these days to price auto
insurance policies and it will help in reducing insurance costs.
Speak to your agent about
reductions for drivers who get insurance through a group plan from their
employees through special professional and business groups. It goes without
saying that you should review your policies at each renewal to see if you are
eligible for other discounts.
Things to guard against
·
Do not lie to an
insurance agent by withholding important insurance information no matter how
tempted you are to do so. If there is a child that is driving the car, disclose
this or you will be heavily fined for the infraction and will be charged.
·
Do not drive
without insurance. It is not only illegal in most jurisdictions you will be
fined and will sweat under the increased insurance costs. You will have to pay
out of your own pocket for any injuries and damages you have caused.
·
Do not deal with
a fly-by-night outfit or agent that does not know his job and only seems
interested in collecting premiums. Work with an agent that is innovative and
wants to get you the best coverage at the best price.
·
If your son or
daughter is a new driver and have just bought his or her first car, a good
thing to install is something called Telematics, a black box insurance policy
that requires the driver to have a GPS device installed to track how he or she
is driving the vehicle. This is great not only because it helps with premiums
but also your son or daughter will be aware of the device and drive carefully.
·
