Do you need a good auto insurance policy? You should read this article and make sure you stay away from these five common mistakes.
Do not let TV ads influence your choice. You should not purchase a policy until you have compared quotes from many different companies. A lot of insurance companies invest in expensive marketing campaigns, but this does not mean they have the best deals or offer quality service. And when you think about it, wouldn’t you rather purchase a policy from a company that is going to spend money on customer service instead of an expensive marketing campaign? Go online to find out more about your different options.
Do not purchase more coverage than you need. Some insurance agents will convince you that you need the most expensive plan they offer: take the time to go over different policies and do not hesitate to customize your insurance plan by adding or removing clauses. For instance, if you have a homeowner’s insurance that covers the damages caused by a tree falling on your car while it is in your driveway, you can remove that kind of coverage from your auto insurance.
Make sure you get all the discounts you qualify for. In a lot of cases, insurance companies will not apply discounts to your account if you do not request them. Stay up to date with the discounts your insurance company offers and get in touch with your insurance agent if you believe your premiums should be lower. You should be able to get a discount if you have a good driving record, if you drive less than a certain number of miles every month, if you take a driving class or if you haven’t filed a claim in a certain number of years.
Go over your policy at least once a year. You needs and your budget will probably change a lot from one year to the other. If you need to save money, increase your deductible and lower your premiums or cancel a few clauses on your policy. Reassess your needs once a year and add more coverage if you need to, for instance if you are about to start teaching your children how to drive. Making changes to your policy should be easy and not cost you anything: if you are charged an additional fee for these modifications, switch to a different company.
If you are planning on purchasing a new vehicle, find out how much insurance will cost you on this vehicle. You will then have a better idea of how much this new vehicle will really cost you. Even if you can afford monthly payments on a luxury vehicle, calculating how much you will be paying for your insurance should help you choose a model you can really afford. Avoid leasing a car if possible, since you will probably be required to get a very expensive coverage plan.
Avoid these five mistakes when shopping for auto insurance and you should be able to protect your vehicle while saving a lot of money. And take your time when shopping for insurance: you might not find the best deal right away.