Affordable Auto Insurance Coverage & Quotes

To find genuinely affordable insurance you need to start thinking about quotes in a different way. Simply comparing basic quotes just isn't going to cut it. The thing you can do that will have the biggest impact is getting your deductible to vehicle value ratio sorted out.

If your vehicle is old and not worth that much you can drop the comprehensive and collision coverage altogether. This can reduce your premium by as much as 50% off. If you have a newer car, increasing your deductible up to $1,000 from $500 could save you 15% to 30% each year.

Ask your broker to get quotes with some "non-standard" carriers if you've got violations on your driving record. These carriers have made a business out of insuring high-risk drivers that the big insurance companies will charge high rates for.

Age and driving history are two of the top things that insurers take into account. They also look at data about your local area where your car is garaged. Your ZIP code is a big deal. If you live in an area that has lots of accidents and uninsured drivers you'll be paying more than someone who lives in a safer neighborhood.

In most states your credit score is a massive factor. People with poor credit end up paying up to 70% more than those with excellent credit. California, Hawaii, Massachusetts, and Michigan have laws that stop insurers using credit scores.

The amount you actually drive each year makes a difference too. If you've switched from commuting to the office to working from home and not driving as much you need to let your agent know. They will reclassify your vehicle use as "pleasure use" and get you a nice discount.

Yes, there are plenty of discounts available, ask your insurance agent which ones you are eligible for. One of the best discounts is Telematics. Basically you download an app on your smartphone and let the insurer track how safely you drive. If you're not speeding or braking too fast you can get a 5-10% discount when signing up.

The Paid in Full discount saves you money because the insurance company only has to collect payment once. It will save you around $30 - $60 a year. The Multi-Policy discount is usually very big, around 10-25% off. You can add a cheap renters insurance policy and end up paying less than you would just for your auto insurance.

Yes, you can get coverage but you need to find the right insurance company. The "big name" insurance companies are going to charge you much higher rates with a poor credit score.

If your score is under 600 an insurance broker can find you affordable coverage with Non-Standard Insurance Carriers. Non-standard carriers care less about your credit score and care more about violations on your driving record.

To get the best rate you should enroll in Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) or AutoPay. If you miss a payment and your policy lapses for even a day or two will hurt your rating and make your premiums go up even more.

Every state has its own required mandatory minimums. It's usually represented by three numbers (e.g. 25/50/25).

Don't buy just the state minimums because they are the cheapest. If you get in a major car accident you could end up being personally liable for amounts over your coverage limit and your wages could be garnished.

We strongly advise clients to carry more than the minimum. A few more dollars a month buys a lot more protection.

Your driving history is a major factor in how much your car insurance costs. Even a little thing like a speeding ticket can raise your rates 20-30% or more for the next three years. Major violations, like DUIs, can double your premiums for up to five years. A DUI will often require an SR-22 certificate filing as well.

Pro Tip: if you get a minor ticket, you can do a defensive driving course and potentially keep the points off your driving record. This can save you thousands in premium increases over a three year period.

The car that's cheapest to buy isn't always the one that will end up being the cheapest to insure. A budget-friendly compact car, like a Kia Forte or Honda Civic, could actually cost more to insure than an SUV like a Subaru Outback or a Honda CR-V.

Why is this the case? The answer lies with the way insurers determine risk. They analyze the data on car thefts and accidents. The data shows compact cars are more likely to be driven by younger, more high-risk drivers. These drivers are more likely to be involved in an accident or to have their car stolen.

Mid-size SUVs and minivans tend to be driven by married drivers who drive safer than younger drivers.

There are also certain cars that are super-targeted by thieves like older Kias, Hyundais, or Ford F-150s. Frequently stolen cars are going to be expensive to insure with comprehensive coverage. It's a smart idea to get an insurance quote before you even buy a car.

If you're under 25, you're going to be paying the highest rates because of accident rates for young drivers statistically. The worst move you can make is to buy a standalone policy as a young driver, it's very expensive.

One trick that can help is to "piggyback" onto your parents' policy. You can be listed as a secondary driver on the old family car, with liability only coverage. That can save you 50% or more.

There are a few other things you can do to save some money as a young driver.

Get a Good Student Discount of 10 - 15% off by keeping your grades at a B average, take a certified Defensive Driving Course, and if you're living away at college and don't have a car, get a Student Away at School Discount.

If you need to reduce your insurance bill right away, here are three things to try today:

1. Look over your policy for unnecessary coverages: If you've got roadside assistance through AAA or your cell phone plan, you probably don't need to keep paying for Towing/Labor coverage on your auto policy.

2. Look up your car's value: Use Kelley Blue Book to see what your car is actually worth, then apply the 10% Rule. If your annual Comprehensive/Collision premium is more than 10% of the car's value, think about dropping down to liability only coverage.

3. Don't fall for "price optimization". It's just a fancy way of saying they're raising your rates. Get an independent insurance broker to quote your identical coverage against 10 or more different insurers. Do this every 12-18 months to make sure you're not getting quoted too much.