No one pays the same amount for car insurance. So how do you secure a lower premium? Every auto insurance company says they offer the lowest rates. That said, it gets easy to assume a company is the best when it has the best marketing.
To find the best rates, however, you must do your research. With numerous insurance companies and a range of policy types, comparing your options can seem daunting. Thankfully, there are tools and tricks to help you figure out who offers the most affordable coverage rates.
Who doesn’t want good coverage at the cheapest possible rate? Here are five things you can do:
1. Check for Discounts and Coupons
Use websites like coupons.com, givingassistant.org, and retailmenot.com to find auto insurance coupons that will take a percentage amount off your premium. You may also want to ask car insurance providers what sort of discounts they offer to see if you’re eligible.
For example, many offer discounts for veterans, senior citizens, and people who have taken additional driving classes. When you find a discount or coupon for one company, mention it to companies with lower starting rates and see if they’ll match it. With high competition in the insurance industry, there’s a chance they will.
2. Use an Online Auto Insurance Comparison Tool
An easier way to compare insurance rates is to use an online comparison tool, such as InsuranceHotline.com. This resource lets you search for auto insurance plans in Ottawa, albeit from big-name companies or small ones, and compare quotes based on price. This way, you can view offers from multiple carriers at once and save yourself a lot of time.
3. Maintain a Clean Driving Record
Breaking traffic rules isn’t worth it when you’re looking to secure lower car insurance rates. Knowing that, avoid speeding, changing lanes in intersections, running red lights, and driving under the influence.
Maintaining a clean driving record allows you to get lower rates, simply because drivers with tickets on their records have to pay higher rates. While you can’t always prevent someone from hitting your vehicle, you can be extra careful to reduce your chances of getting in an accident.
4. Downsize Your Car
The larger and more expensive your car is, the more your coverage will cost. That doesn’t mean the cheaper your car, the lower your rate. Insurance companies charge lower premiums for drivers with safe cars that are in good condition, contain functioning safety features, and cost less to repair. Rather than going cheaper with your car, go with a smaller car, since they cost less to insure.
Add a Seasoned Driver to Your Policy
Drivers who have maintained a clean driving record for decades can help you get lower rates when you add them to your policy. Especially if you’re under 25 or have some tickets or accidents on your record, you could benefit from your parents or another older driver joining your policy.
Securing a Better Premium
Securing cheaper auto insurance rates may be easier than you think. Educate yourself on the criteria insurance companies look at when they determine a driver’s insurance premium and do what you can to qualify for lower rates. At the same time, make sure you’re able to see all your options by using a quote comparison tool that puts it all on the table for you.
