The cost of driving a car, especially in California in today’s rough economy, can be too expensive without a cheap auto insurance quote. One of the best things one can do to save money is to find a better way to get a car insurance quote.
While it may seem a bit simplistic, the easiest and most important way to ensure that one is getting best deal possible on car insurance is to comparison shop before making the policy purchase. Some people simply renew their insurance every six months without shopping around to see if a better deal is possible. Some simply call the first insurer for which they see an advertisement. Careful research of the available options really can help to find a cheaper car insurance quote.
The cheapest rate is not the only factor in getting the best insurance deal available. The policy that’s easiest on the pocket may turn out to be too good to be true. One also needs to be sure that the prospective insurer or agency has a good reputation as an honest and trustworthy business. Ask around among your friends and family members for a referral to a good agency, or, if that doesn’t work, try calling the Better Business Bureau, or reading online evaluations of agency or insurance company performance.
Another way to obtain more cost-effective car insurance is to be organized from the start. Before searching for quotes, put all of your driving information (the make, model, and year of your car; your address; a brief summary of the accidents or tickets you’ve had in the past 10 years; and any special safety features that your car has on it) down in an easy-to-read format, and have it with you while researching or speaking with insurance agents.
Remember, even if you have all this information memorized, you should write it down in a tidy list, anyway. That way you won’t accidentally give out different data to different vendors to use in quoting. Reading this information from a short list is the best way to give the information out consistently. A vendor who gets the same information as another will be able to make a comparable quote, but if the information is different, your quotes can’t be compared fairly.
Don’t forget that insurers sometimes offer special deals if you’re able to do without certain things; for example, eliminating weekend driving may reduce your policy price substantially, since many accidents happen on Saturday and Sunday. Thus, you should remember to inquire about such programs while speaking with each agent.
In the same vein, you can save money by eliminating optional coverage you don’t need. For example, if you belong to any roadside assistance club, you can safely strike out optional towing coverage. Removing that coverage will remove the associated costs from your total. You might also consider striking out collision damage coverage, and/or glass breakage coverage, depending on the costs of those options and the age and condition of your vehicle. If the cost of repairing or replacing your car is lower than the repair insurance plus deductible, you’re better off driving without the coverage.
Lastly (it can’t be overstated how important this is) get quotes in writing before making decisions! Otherwise you may end up choosing one supplier based on a price you expect to receive, only to see extra terms and conditions on the final forms. Quotes can also differ in their fine print terms and conditions, so be sure to compare details before making your selection. There’s nothing wrong with getting quotes over the phone or by visiting various offices, but before you actually compare those quotes and make your choice, be sure you’ve got them in writing.
These tips will assist you in obtaining a better and more cost-effective car insurance quote. During this rough economic period, saving on your car insurance can help substantially when it comes to being able to afford the essentials of life. And, if you save enough on your auto insurance policy, you might even be able to afford the gasoline to actually drive your car.
SOURCE: 3×24
by Susan Tanner
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