Keeping Your Car Insurance Affordable

In these kinds of rough economic times, you want to save wherever you can. One of the most obvious places where you would want to save is in your car insurance premiums. But so many factors influence premiums, and all too often you seem destined to pay more and more as time goes on. Don’t give up! You, too, can save on your car insurance if you’re willing to put in the effort to become a low-risk driver. By doing your best to be a safe driver, car owner, and insurance policy holder in all aspects of your life, you can save in many different ways and enjoy the same great coverage with more spending freedom.

Car insurance companies calculate your overall risk level by taking into account things like your driving history, your age, the type of car you own, and your credit score. There’s no way to find out for sure what they rate you as, but you can look at the same things they look at and then make a reasonably good educated guess at your risk level. The first thing to do to save on your premiums is to remember these things when you’re first shopping for a car or an insurance policy. By buying less flashy, subdued car models, you reduce your risk. Buying insurance only when you have a good credit rating is also a very sensible idea. You don’t want to be stuck with awful premiums because of a temporary slump in your credit rating, do you?

Note: You can keep premiums down by keeping small claims down. If you’ve had items stolen from your car, such as a CD collection – file this on your homeowner’s insurance. Bad drivers will pay more in premiums – including you if you drive badly. You can pay up to 40% more after your fist at-fault accident. This is the industry standard, although not all insurance companies follow this guideline.

Note: Accident “forgiveness” – some auto insurers offer a first accident “forgiveness”; they will not increase your premiums for your first accident. Check with your company to see if they offer this coverage and how you can qualify. Did your friend borrow your car and have an accident? You’ll have to file a claim unless their own insurance covers them. If they are uninsured, and the damages exceed your coverage, the injured party may take legal action against you for damages and injuries. On the other hand, if your friend did not have permission to borrow your car you won’t be held liable in many cases.

Each auto insurance company figures the worth of a vehicle in a different manner. All of them keep their own lists of car values (like the Blue Book list). Some companies may ask local car dealers what they’d charge for a particular vehicle. Gap insurance might be worth purchasing, as it might pay the difference between what your insurer will pay and what you actually owe. Keep any maintenance records you have, especially of oil changes and routine checks by a qualified mechanic, or special parts, or upgrades. These will be factors in figuring what gap insurance will pay.

If you feel that your car insurance company drastically undervalues your car, don’t worry, there are measures you can take to remedy the situation. Gap insurance exists for just such times, and will cover the other expenses your car insurance company is ordinarily unwilling to cover. It can make a big difference and save your neck when your bad luck places your damages at just a bit over the coverage your policy offers.

Note: You can wait to add your teen driver until they are licensed. While operating under a “learner’s permit” your teen does not need to be on your coverage, thus saving you money. However, do NOT forget to add them as soon as they become licensed. If you delay, you’ll have to pay the higher premium retroactively to the date they got their license. Note: When changing insurance carriers, be sure to cancel your previous coverage in writing. The easiest way is to give your insurance agent a call. They’ll even complete the cancellation paperwork and send it to you for signature. Be sure to give the exact date your new coverage begins, so that you do not have a lapse in coverage.

Susan Reynolds is the webmaster for a leading South African Insurance provider who specialises in Car Insurance.

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