Cheap Auto Insurance – A Practical Solution for Reducing Car Expenses

In todays world auto insurance is a necessity for any one with a car. I believe you will agree with me when saying that having a car is an expense on its own. Not to mention the
Fuel prices these days. So what actually can be done to cut costs from your car payments?

One of the easiest, quickest, safest and cost efficient ways to save money is getting cheap auto insurance rates. Some will say that their insurance payments are relatively low. That may be true but keep in mind that over 35% of auto insurance policy holders are overpaying their insurance and dont even know about it.

The competition among insurance companies these days is huge due to a simple fact; the amount of cars in the world is constantly growing, meaning more insurance is needed. Some people insure 2 or even 3 cars through the same insurance company and arent aware that if they demand an additional discount they will easily get it and even if they dont, no worries, there are lots of other reliable companies that will give them a better rate.

There are plenty of ways of saving hundreds of dollars from your annual premium. The first step is getting a quote. Filling out a quote should be done correctly and the cheapest and fastest way to get free quotes is online. Correct comparison is the key to great rates and its needless to say you should compare quotes from at least 3 different companies (the more the better). There are organizations which provide unbiased services helping you compare 1000 of bids from different auto insurance companies with filling out just one form. These systems can come in handy and save hours of quote comparison.

Ways To Save

The following are a few tested strategies you can apply for saving $300 – $500 from your premium. The more tips you apply the more you can save, believe it or not saving couldnt be easier.

  • Raise your deductibles
  • Reduce coverage on older cars
  • Compare male and female as main drivers
  • If you havent had an accident negotiate a discount
  • Take a defensive driving course and let the insurance company know that you have
  • Install anti theft devices
  • Ask for a discount if you have more than one type of insurance from the same company
  • Check for low mileage discounts

All in all it is important to understand that there are more than enough ways to save money, all you need to do is get started and it doesnt require much effort or time. If you take a close look at what your payments are all about you will see that you could cut costs daily if you just give it a bit of time and correct calculation.

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February 8, 2010

Today the cost of auto insurance in the state of Colorado is among the highest in the nation and many Colorado drivers are finding it harder and harder to make those monthly car insurance premiums.

If youre like most car insurance buyers in Colorado you cant afford to pay even a penny more for your insurance needs than is absolutely necessary and driving without insurance is not an option not unless you want to risk losing your vehicle and your drivers license for a long, long time.

Its possible that one of the auto insurance reforms currently in the Colorado legislature will eventually have a positive impact on auto insurance premiums in the state, but in the meantime here are a few practical suggestions for ways to reduce your cost of auto insurance or to a least keep it at its current level.

First, do your own homework.

Start by checking with your other insurance providers. Often your homeowners insurance may offer a nice discount if you purchase your car insurance through them as well.

Secondly, when it comes time to renew your auto insurance policy carefully review it rather than just blindly paying it. Talk to your agent. Ask questions.

Start by discussing your deductible. The larger your deductible the lower your monthly premium. Obviously this represents a trade-off, but finding the right balance can save you substantially on your premiums.

If you own more than one car your insurance company should offer what they call a multi-policy discount. If youre entitled to such a discount, make sure youre getting it.

Your age or the ages of others on your policy can affect your monthly premiums. Generally speaking, very young and very old drivers pay higher premiums than other drivers.

While you cant do much about the age of the drivers on your policy, there are things that both young and older drivers can do to help keep costs reasonable. Young people who have had drivers education and who get good grades often get lower premiums as do older drivers who take refresher courses in drivers training.

Having auto insurance is a responsibility for every Colorado driver but finding ways to keep insurance costs down is every Colorado drivers right.

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January 27, 2010

With the rising costs of fuel and just about every other good or service we purchase, many of us are looking for cheap car insurance. When it comes to cheap car insurance most of us are clueless as to how to go about getting a low cost car insurance policy. There are many factors that influence your car insurance costs drastically.

For example, did you know that the type of car you drive will influence the cheap car insurance you’re looking for? Or did you know that using anti theft devices will help reduce your over all car insurance costs? A good driving record will allow you to get cheap car insurance?

The deductible is the amount you pay first out of any claim for an accident. The car insurance policy’s cost is directly related to your deductible. A lot of people, especially those with a good driving record, who have had their insurance policy for a long time, have never considered varying their deductible. If you have a clean driving record and are prepared for the risk of paying a larger amount in the event of a claim you can save money by increasing your deductible.

Many times you can get cheap car insurance by combining policies with you existing insurance company. For example if you have a home owners insurance policy contact them and ask for discounts for switching your car insurance to them. If you don’t own a home perhaps you have renters insurance or life insurance, contact these companies about the savings you could get by switching your car insurance over to them. Most insurance companies are very accommodating to these requests.

It also pays to shop online for your cheap car insurance; many of the big companies offer a comparison of their coverage versus other companies. As you are requesting cheap car insurance quote online be sure to be completely truthful in answering the questionnaire. Additionally, you should know when you get your online quote you will need to follow up with actual paper work.

Whatever your motivation, with a little work you too can find the cheap car insurance you’re looking for.

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Car Insurance Quote – Things To Know To Get Very Cheap Car Insurance And Quotes

Auto insurance premiums vary widely from state to state and even within states. The same person may find swings of as much as $700 on the cost of an annual policy. Insurance agents are not legally bound to tell a perspective customer about discounts which may apply to his/her insurance. There are, however, things the consumer can do which may lower the price paid for auto insurance.

Higher deductibles

The single quickest and easiest way to lower your insurance premium is to raise your premium. Having a $1000 or even a $1500 deductible can lower premiums 15 to 20 percent. If you decide to go this route, consider putting the money saved the first year into an account earmarked to pay the deductible should you have any accident.

Investigate auto records

Your driving record may be unblemished but the record of the car model you own can also have an affect on your premiums. Insurance copies compile extensive reports on the way cars respond in accidents and how popular certain cars are with thieves. Cars with poor crash test ratings and cars that are frequently stolen cost more to insure. When buying a new car use an auto buyers guide to compare crash test and theft rankings.

Use the same insurance company

If you have more than one vehicle insure all of them with the same company. Almost all insurance companies offer multi-car discounts. Many companies offer further discounts if you use any other products they offer such as homeowners insurance and life insurance.

Getting many quotes and comparing them is the best way to check pricing, coverage and save money.

And, dont forget, the best way to lower your car insurance premium is to drive safely.

Please see our recommended sources for insurance quotes from multiple providers. We have done the research so you don’t have to.

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Some Tips On How To Obtain Cheap Student Car Insurance

Finding affordable car insurance for students can be something of a challenge. Insurance companies tend to classify students as higher risk along with teens and new drivers. And of course, most students need all the savings they can possibly get. Unfortunately, car insurance isnt cheap a typical student pays anywhere from $3,500 to $13,000 in insurance premiums in a year.

Obtaining a lower rate for your car insurance starts when you still in school you can often get a discount just by providing your most recent school report card. Most insurance companies consider students who have a grade B average, to be lower risk drivers. If your school or college offers a drivers education course, take the class and let your insurance company know.

If you have membership in any school or professional organizations, let your insurance company know. Some insurance companies offer significant discounts for membership of various alumni, fraternity and student associations; for example the Golden Key National Honor Society.

Let your insurance company know if you are also working while attending school. If you work close to your home and use your car primarily to go to and from your workplace, your insurance company will generally offer a discount. Students who live close to their school or college and generally dont drive much may be eligible for a low-mileage discount.

It is also less expensive to add a students name to an existing auto insurance policy, rather than take out a new one; although if the student is the primary driver or owns the car, they may be required to have a separate policy.

Please see our list of recommended insurance quote providers below to get free insurance quotes from many providers. These sites also offer pages and pages of free insurance information. Free quotes are available everywhere but these sites offer quotes from multiple companies. This way you are sure to get a look and the 3 to 5 cheapest possibilities and you can save more money.

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January 14, 2010

Would you buy a used car–with cash–from someone you just met in the bar, and who walked you down a dark alley to show you the car? Not likely. How about from a well-dressed, friendly, middle-aged man or woman, who placed a classified ad in your local newspaper, and who meets you midday at a restaurant of your choice?

Oops! You may be more likely to be cheated by seller number two. That’s the story of Jennifer Warwa, who bought a minivan and had her mechanic examine it. The mechanic later said how shocked he was that Jennifer had been scammed:

“Because I met the gentleman who was selling the vehicle. Very clean cut. In his fifties. Very soft spoken…. And he went with her to get it inspected. There was just no sign that was the kind of person he was” the mechanic told CBC’s Marketplace.

A few months later, Jennifer got a phone call from the police. They said she had purchased a stolen minivan, and they were coming to seize it. She was so upset, she tried to hide the van from the police. Eventually they caught up with her and she ended up paying for a year and a half for a $5,000 bank loan on a van she could not drive. Ouch!

Jennifer was just one victim in the chain that included the original owner, the insurance company, other consumers whose insurance rates keep rising, and the police, who spend thousands of hours tracking thefts. According to the FBI, a vehicle is stolen about every 25 seconds in the USA, amounting to an $8 billion yearly problem.

Here’s how these scams often work. Thieves target particular cars: for their value, their ease of resale as a whole or in parts, or because they are easier to steal. Years ago, most cars were stripped for parts, including unusual parts such as airbags. But today some thieves are so brash they sell cars through newspapers.

This newer scam is called “VIN cloning”, because the Vehicle Identification Number is stolen from another car. Criminals obtain VINs by copying them from the dash of cars in parking lots–even at dealerships. Some even physically remove the VIN plate from vehicles in auto salvage yards that allow customers to “pick your own parts.” (They do not mean that literally!) The number is used to falsely obtain new ownership documents, or documents are forged. Either way, a cloned VIN allows them to transform stolen cars into pseudo-legal vehicles that can be officially titled and sold. Many thieves work across state lines: cars may be stolen in the East, registered in the Mid-West, then sold in California. Scary!

Here’s what you can do to avoid buying a stolen car:

** Check the VIN on the dash against the VIN in the driver’s door jamb, under the hood, and on the paperwork

** Use the VIN to get the car’s history at carfax.com for about $20

** Ensure title and registration documents match the name and address of the seller

** Is the car from out of state?

** Be suspicious if you must meet a private seller in a parking lot. Better to see that they live at the address where the car is registered

** Has the vehicle recently been transferred?

** Does the seller use a home or work phone number, or just a cell?

** Is the selling price oddly low?

** Be warned that some used car dealers are getting scammed, too

** Pay by certified cheque or money order, not cash.

Keep in mind that most private sellers are not thieves, but rather honest, regular folks like you. And prices do tend to be lower with private sales. So if you follow my advice, you can greatly improve your chances of driving away with a “genuine” used car.

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Very Cheap Car Insurance – It Exists But You Have To Know What To Ask For

When someone tells you that they have very cheap car insurance then you need to be cautious. What kind of insurance profile does that individual have that would give them the benefit of very cheap car insurance? People will often complain about their car insurance rates to a friend or neighbor and too often that neighbor or friend will claim that their insurance is much cheaper. That may be true for a number of reasons. We dont all drive the same cars. We dont have the same driving records. We have different ages of drivers. There are a whole lot of variables in the criteria that make up the car insurance rate.

Rating Criteria

Credit Reports Most of the insurance companies use credit as part of the equation when setting rates. Some people do not understand the relationship. Actuaries have come up with the statistics that prove credit to be a significant rating factor. There is a stability factor and relationship to accident frequency that coincides with the credit history.

Vehicle Types This can be kind of tricky. Some newer vehicles actually have better rates than the older vehicles because of all the safety features. Some vehicles have high theft rates. Make sure that you get the vehicle identification number of any new vehicle purchase and give it to your insurance company to obtain your new rate.

Rating Territory You are stuck with this one unless you move to another geographical area.

Driver Info The driving records and ages of your drivers will play a significant part in your rate.

Discounts There are several ways to discount your car insurance. Purchase the home policy with the auto policy to get a multi-policy discount. Good student and drivers training discounts are available to young drivers with some companies. Retirement discounts and discounts for taking a mature driving course are available for senior citizens.

The cheaper rate is really up to you. Do your home work and ask your insurance company a lot of questions.

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Homeowner And Auto Insurance Quote – What To Know About Personal Property Insurance

Did you know that if you buy your auto insurance from the same company as your homeowners insurance, you could get a discount? Many companies offer what is called a multi- discount.

Here are a few other tips for saving money when buying insurance:

1.Shop, shop, shop: Always shop around. Different underwriting guidelines may cause one company to charge more for your homeowners and/or auto policy where another company may be able to offer discounts. Get a couple of quotes and compare not only the premiums, but compare overages.

2.Deductibles: Rule of thumb, the higher the deductible, the lower the premium. Remember, however, the purpose of insurance is to make you whole in the event of an insured loss. Don’t raise your deductibles to the point where you’re spending more out of pocket than you can afford. If you currently have a $250 deductible and can live with a $500 deductible, then raise it accordingly. However, if you raise your deductible to $5,000 to save money on your premium and then suffer a loss, that first $5,000 comes out of your pocket. So, raise them only as far as you can afford.

3.Discounts : Ask for discounts. Some companies offer discounts to senior citizens which can amount to as much as 10%. Other companies offer discounts on auto policies to teens who maintain good grades (B or above). Your agent is aware of these discounts so always ask.

4.Longevity: Once you find the right insurance company, stay with them. Insurance companies like loyalty and will offer discounts for remaining with them for several years. Three to five years with the same carrier may earn a 5% discount and six years or more as much as 10%.

5.Credit Score: As unfair as it sounds, your credit score is taken into consideration when determining your premium. Know your credit score and do whatever you can to improve it.

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December 26, 2009

When we purchase a car we need some sort of car or auto insurance. Most of us want to buy it as cheap as possible. The quality of the insurance product means a lot though; it is important that the policy has a good coverage and it is also important with a good service from the insurance company, especially if and when an accident occurs. Auto insurance is one of those items where the price can vary a lot based on which insurer you go through. Sometimes your rates can vary as much as 20-30% just because of different rating factors the company may use. By utilizing the power of the Internet you can be a savvy insurance shopper and find cheap auto insurance that fits your needs while providing the customer service and support you need.

When people are shopping for a new or used car they often don’t think about insurance until the last moment. Several consumers fall into the trap of obtaining an instant car loan through the dealership and inadvertently signing up for the auto insurance through the finance company. This can be one of the worst mistakes you can make. Often finance companies that roll insurance into the finance agreement will charge premium prices that have interest charges added in on top of the already high rates. When obtaining financing make sure you state up front that you will be getting insurance through a company of your choosing and not the finance company.

The best bet to finding the best deal on vehicle coverage is to do your research before you buy the car. By knowing up-front what type of car you are looking for most insurance companies can provide you with a basic quote that is in the ballpark of the rates you can expect to pay. Remember, never drive off the lot with any car until you have the insurance purchased and finalized. Accidents can happen anywhere at any time. The last thing you want to happen is to be in an accident without insurance.

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December 25, 2009

1. Buy from the internet.Most companies offer a discount for online applications as this is automated process and costs them a lot less to process your application, you can usually see discounts of 5%-10%.Click here to get a instant online insurance quote

2. Shop around.All insurance companies use different formulas to calculate your insurance premium by adding or detracting money after each question the ask you.By shopping around you could find big savings on your insurance premium.

3. Buy extra products.Most insurance companies also do other insurance products ie”Building’s and content’s insurance”.Most insurance companies will give extra discounts for purchasing more than one product,by doing this you could save a fair amount on all your insurance premiums.

4. Pay your insurance premium in one go.By paying your insurance premium in full you can avoid paying costly interest charges that would be added if you paid your insurance premium by instalments.Some insurance companies may charge as much as 15% APR on instalments.You may even receive a discount for paying in full.If you can not afford to pay in full check out what rate a small loan would be you may still save some money.Fill out a online loan application.

5. Increase your voluntary excess.Your excess is the amount paid by you in the event of a claim,by increasing this your insurance company should reduce your premium.

6. Lower your annual mileage.Lowering your annual mileage can reduce your premium,most insurance companies will quote you for around 12,000 miles a year.Try and work out how many mile’s you will do if it’s likely to be less you may get a discount.Be honest about this as your insurance company may ask to see old MOT’S and service history to verify your mileage in the event of a accident.

7. Have a Alarm,Immobiliser or Tracker fitted.Theft of and from your vehicle play a major role in the calculation of your insurance premium.Having a alarm or immobiliser fitted will give you a small discount to your premium and having a tracker fitted could make you quite a saving.

8. Take the advanced driving test.Passing your advanced driving test will show your insurance company that you have extra skill when driving and are less likely to be involved in a accident.

9. Don’t inflate the value of your car.Adding extra value to your car when you apply for your insurance quote will do nothing for you apart from increase you premium.In the event your car is stolen or written off you will only be paid the market value of your car at the time of your accident.

10.Look after your credit rating.Insurance companies are now looking at your credit score as part of the calculation for your insurance premium.Maintaining a good credit rating could avoid unnecessary additions to your premium.

11. Insure your car Third Party Only.Third party only is the minimum cover you are required to have by law it’s also the cheapest.If your vehicle is of a low value then you could consider this type of cover.You need to remember that with this type of cover if you was to have a accident that any damage to your vehicle would not be covered for repair.

12. Keep a clean licenceInsurance companies take driving convictions very seriously and can dramatically increase your car insurance premium,by maintaining a clean licence proves to the insurance you are a safe and careful driver.

13. Remove any unnecessary drivers.If you have a young driver on your insurance policy that no longer use’s the vehicle you should remove them as this will reduce your premium.

14. Young driver’s add a older driver.Some insurance companies will reduce young drivers premiums if they have a older named driver on the insurance.

15. Build up your no-claims discountOne of the biggest factors affecting your car insurance premium is the number of years no-claim’s discount.You could receive up to 75% discount for around 5 years of no claims.The more years you can stay claim free the safer driver your insurance company will see you as.

16. Protect your no-claims discount.Although this will increase your insurance premium if you have a lot of years of no-claims you may want to protect this as a small claim may increase your premium by up to 75%.

17. Buy a lower insurance group car.A very important factor to your insurance premium is what car you drive.Most insurance companies adopt the Association Of British Insurance Group Rating.This rates vehicle’s from 1 – 20 generally speaking the higher the group the higher the premium.By buying a car with a lower group rating can lower your premium especially for young or inexperienced drivers.

18. Join a car club.If your vehicle is a classic or specialist consider joining a club related to your car most clubs offer insurance schemes which have very good premium rates.

19. Put your spouse as a named driver.Some insurance companies offer discounts when you add a spouse as a named driver as opposed to unmarried couples,they see marriage as a sign of stability and associate stability with safe driving and there for give you a discount.

20. Take pass plus.If you are a new driver consider taking your pass plus.some insurance companies could give you as much as a 25% discount and when you have just passed your test and have no no-claims this could make a considerable saving.

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