Nationwide Auto Insurance Tips

Nationwide Auto Insurance Tips and Advice

1. Auto insurance rates vary by company, so be consistent in the coverages you specify when requesting rates from different agents, brokers, or companies.

2. The rates should be free, but will ask details about your car, driving record & insurance history, so if you have a policy, find it, then begin. DO NOT GUESS AT YOUR COVERAGES!

3. Print copies of the quotes for a side-by-side comparison to see if the coverages match, and if not, ask for an explanation.

4. NEVER CANCEL A POLICY BEFORE SECURING ANOTHER ONE IF THAT IS YOUR INTENTION. The worst thing you can do aside from not paying the bill is to cancel out of anger only to find higher rates later. There are times where you will find that your rate is not all that bad when compared with your (fill in the blank)- who of course pays less than you for her brand new car(usually incorrect info by the way).

5. Seek professional advice: do not rely on your cousin the plumber as to whether you are covered properly or not, because he will not be the one paying the claim- the insurance company will.

6. Never buy a car before you know what the insurance rates for that vehicle are! This may sound silly, but there are people who buy on impulse only to find that they cannot possibly afford $4200 for insurance on that 2001 BMW Convertible that had a terrific lease. Do not accept ballpark guesses and do not ask your agent to provide them.

7. If you own a home, never take minimum liability! I cannot stress this enough. To place one's home in jeopardy for the sake of saving $40 per year is ridiculous- eat one less pizza every two months, clip coupons, but don't take minimum liability unless instructed to by your attorney (you do have one... right?).

Saving Money on Your Auto Insurance

Comparison Shop.
Prices for the same coverage can vary from company to company, so it pays to shop around. But don't shop price alone. The insurer you select should offer both fair prices and excellent service. Quality personal service may cost a bit more, but you buy insurance in case you need to make a claim, so it's important to get a company with a good reputation. Check the financial ratings of the companies with A.M. Best or Standard and Poor's.

Ask for Higher Deductibles.
Deductibles represent the amount of money you pay before you make a claim. By requesting higher deductibles on collision and comprehensive (fire and theft) coverage, you can lower your costs substantially. For example, increasing your deductible from $300 to $500 could reduce your collision and comprehensive cost by 15% to 30%.

Drop Collision and/or Comprehensive Coverages on Older Cars.
It may not be cost effective to have collision or comprehensive coverages on cars worth less than $1,000 because any claim you make would not substantially exceed annual cost and deductible amounts.

Buy a "Low Profile" Car.
Before you buy a new or used car, check into insurance costs. Cars that are expensive to repair, or that are favorite targets for thieves , have much higher insurance costs.

Take Advantage of Low Mileage Discounts.
Some companies offer discounts to motorists who drive fewer than a predetermined number of miles a year.

Consider Insurance Cost When Making a Move.
Costs tend to be lowest in rural communities and highest in cities where there is more traffic congestion.

Find out about Automatic Seat Belt or Airbag Discounts.
You may be able to take advantage of discounts on some coverages if you have automatic seat belts and/or airbags.

Ask About Anti-Lock Brakes.
Anti-lock brakes improve steering control and stability when a car is brought to a stop, thus reducing accidents. Some states, including Florida, New Jersey and New York, require insurers to give discounts for cars equipped with the brakes and some insurers have a nationwide discount in place.

Inquire About Other Discounts.
Some insurers offer discounts for things like no accidents in three years, drivers over 65 years of age, driver training courses, anti-theft devices, and having more than one car insured with that company. Many companies now offer account credits up to 10% on your home insurance if they also insure your auto.