I recently retired and not liking driving that much, I decided to apply for the lowest rate of insurance I could find. By qualifying for the low mileage discount (which is the largest one of all), I saved over 50% of my truck's insurance. You can budget your car's mileage, by simply keeping track of it. I keep a log.
On the first of the month, I record my mileage. I know I have to keep it under 235 miles a month to maintain my discount, so I watch it and don't let it get out of range. That means some walking, some bicycle riding, or just saying no to more driving near the end of the month. Pays off in lower premiums and health benefits.
By Lonnie from Chatsworth CA
Vehicle insurance is so expensive, especially if you have teenagers! One of the things many people seem to forget is that most companies will give you a discount on your policy if your child gets good grades.
When my teenage son took Driver's Ed in high school, we went to our car insurance agent to get my son added to the insurance policy. There I learned that we did not have to pay a dime until my son gets a driver's license.
We have found that having a teenage driver was a big drain on our insurance premiums. One thing that has helped a lot, though, is that we have her restricted to driving the oldest car.
Get 3 or 4 quotes from different insurance companies. Write down as much information as possible about each insurer. If the agent or representative is not willing to answer your questions, it's probably not a good company to give your business.
Make sure you are getting all of the discounts you are entitled to, on your auto insurance. Most companies give discounts for anti-lock brakes, daytime running lights, airbags, etc.
I'm buying my wife a new car for her birthday next week. I thought this might be a good time to review our coverages and shop for competitive rates again. I've already checked with my home insurance company, and I see no benefit combining my home and auto insurance with them. Any suggestions?
By krisortis from Chicago, IL
Most ins. companies will give you a multi-policy discount as well as multi-car discounts Ask for that if you haven't been given it.
The auto and home insurance ads on TV and the radio all promote saving money either with their multi policies or with just auto insurance. You may save some dollars on the insurance but you will pay when your car has an accident. The insurance company will have you take the car to a shop of their choice because the shop will work for less cost to the insurance company and the parts will not be original manufacturers product.
Depending on what company you go to, but ours gives us a 25% discount by having a house, and more than 2 cars on it. We have between 5-7, if you want to count the motorcycles.
Maybe it's simply that I have a wonderful local State Farm Insurance insurance agent but he has definitely done right by me for many years for many different circumstances.
All I know is that a drunk driver was passed out at the wheel and hit me head on. He wasn't hurt because he was passed out. Broke my bake in two places. He had State Farm and They got him off without even paying a dime for my car or hospital.
Check AAA and AARP for rates and remember about the warnings people have posted!
Toebeanie, I feel so very badly for you! Why didn't your insurance company's lawyer fight for you in court when that's what they are supposed to do for their clients? I am even in a no fault state but State Farm took care of me when someone hit my car and then went after the other driver.
Thank you, Deeli, I appreciate your info. However the face and attitude of that lawyer will be stamped on my brain for the rest of my life. He was just plain cruel and when he saw the jury was leaning toward me, he asked to go into the judges chambers and I could hear some of what was said. Yes, I am sure they take care of their clients, so if one is a client, that is good. But the extent they went to with this guy was just plain demeaning, like I did not deserve anything and I was totally an innocent driver, just had left three kids at our church camp. (Thank goodness.) Thank you, though.
Who has found the cheapest auto insurance?
By Tina from Orange County, CA
I have both my auto and renter's insurance with Nationwide, have been with them for several years and am very satisfied with their services.
Even if all of us told you a single company was great, the chance of it being a good pick for you would be slim. The cost of auto insurance differs between companies, the regions of the country you live in, the city you live in, your sex, your age, your past driving history, the make and model of your vehicle, your deductible, whether you have homeowners insurance with the same company, the type and amount of coverage you choose, etc. This is one time when it's best to call around or check the internet for a good price. And remember, the amount you pay has nothing to do with how the company will treat you or what kind of medical care they'll pay for if you ever get in an accident. Personally, I think insurance is kind of like a crap-shoot--you research what you think is the best, pay the premiums, and hope you never have to make a claim because you don't really know how they will pay. Good luck.
Agree with susanmajp!
I am female, 55, no accidents ever that were my fault, no tickets since 1982, own a 2000 Hyundai Elantra Wagon, live in a small town in Washington State, on average don't drive more than 50 miles a month, have full coverage and I pay $50.00 a month but other company's quoted as much as $100.00 more a month than that :-o
Just shop around and ask each agent lots of questions and detailed quotes in writing from each before deciding ;-)
Oh! And each and every time your policy comes up for renewal shop again!
If you belong to Sam's Club or Costco - check out their benefits to members - we found a great deal for our family, including 2 teenage boys, through Sam's and then added our homeowners and got another discount through the same company! Worth a try - just have your declaration page in hand when you call so you can compare "apples to apples" - then, if you want to change anything you can do that afterwards.
Hi, I was given this phone number for inexpensive auto insurance if you earn less than $26,000 a year.
I am not sure if it is just for California, or for other states as well. 866-620-8861 Loretta
We switched from Farmers to Progressive and save $50.00 per month.
It's tricky to find real auto insurance price comparisons on the internet because many of the web sites are what they call "lead generation" sites in the insurance business. They tend to collect your information, and then have agents call or email you. Some of them within an hour of inputting your info, but they keep coming for a few days or a week.
You can get live price quotes from some of the bigger companies like Geico, esurance, etc.
This site, if you enter your zip code, gives a list of sites that have online quotes. You still have to go to each one individually, but just note the price quote on a piece of paper ( or in windows notepad ), and then make a choice.
billeater.com/
Or, try of the bigger sites directly: geico.com/
esurance.com/
And, I'm sure that an insurance agent might chime in and say, "You know, I can do that for you" :)
