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Thursday, April 26, 2007

 

How To Save Big Bucks On Your Car Insurance So You Can Have More Money To Spend On Other Things

1. Keep your driving record clean.
If you have a good driving record, you’ll pay a lower premium. Here are some tips to help you drive more defensively:
* Always wear your seatbelt.
* Drive at or close to the speed limit.
* Never drink and drive.
* Avoid driving at night and in bad weather conditions, if possible.
* Use your horn to get pedestrians' attention.
* Use your horn and lights to get other drivers’ attention.
* Pay attention when you hear other drivers’ horns.
* Confirm with visual check and use your mirrors and directional signals for all lane changes.
* Use four-way flashers to warn drivers behind of slowed or blocked traffic to avoid being hit from behind.
* Watch out for big trucks, buses, and vehicles that make wide turns.
* Watch for cars that are pulling trailers.
* Watch out for drivers who stop or turn without signaling.
* Watch out for pedestrians in school zones or playgrounds.
* Watch for cars rushing through intersections at the end of a red light.
* Be careful of drivers who tailgate. If possible, pull over and let them pass.
* Be careful when approaching and leaving four-way stops and unmarked intersections.
* Look behind you before backing out of a parking place.
* Avoid using the cell phone while driving. If you must use it, then pull to the side of the road before doing so.
2. Choose the right vehicle.
When purchasing a vehicle, look for one with a good claims track record. Vehicles that are less likely to be stolen, or that have lower-than-average accident rates, will cost less to insure. Sport vehicles or luxury models tend to carry higher-than-average insurance premiums. Also, because four-door model vehicles are safer than those with two doors, the premiums are usually lower. To find out the top ten most stolen vehicles in America, visit CarInsuranceIQ.com.
3. Raise your deductibles.
You can save money substantially by taking on a little more of the risk yourself. Increasing your auto deductibles from $100 to $500 may save you 10 to 20%. Remember, the lower the deductibles, the higher your premium.
If your insurance company offers $1,000 deductible, then you may even consider raising your present deductible to this amount to save even more money. You then can deposit this amount into a savings account and use it as your own insurance fund. And if you don’t file any claims for several years, then you may have enough money from this savings account to pay for your own auto claims.
4. Cut coverages on older vehicles.
If you own an older vehicle, consider reducing the collision and comprehensive coverages. If the book value of your vehicle is very low, you may not even need collision or comprehensive coverages at all. Your vehicle may have depreciated so much in value that it’s not worth paying the extra premiums. Remember, the most your insurance company will pay is your vehicle’s book value, or “fair-market” value.
5. Keep your vehicle for as long as you can.
When you’ve put more than 100,000 miles on your vehicle, you pay lower premiums because its book value has decreased substantially.
6. Take a driver’s education course.
Some insurance companies offer discounts, from 5% to 10%, for drivers who have completed a defensive driving course from an authorized driving school. So if you, your spouse, or teenage driver has completed a driver’s educational course, ask your insurance company for a discount.
7. Buy more than one insurance policy from the same insurance company.
You may be entitled to a multi-vehicle discount if you buy more than one auto insurance policy from the same company. A multi-policy discount may also be available if you buy two or more different insurance policies from the same company, such car, home, and life policies.
8. Ask for all the discounts you’re entitled to.
Ask your insurance company to see if you qualify for any of these discounts:
* Anti-theft systems discount. If your vehicle is equipped with a car alarm, an ignition-disabling device, or other anti-theft systems, then you may get a discount because these devices make your vehicle more difficult to steal.
* Air bag discount.
* Anti-lock braking system discount.
* Automatic seatbelt discount.
* Good student and out-of-town discounts. If your teenage driving son or daughter gets good grades, a 3.0 average or better, ask your insurance company for a discount. Also, if your child is attending college more than 100 miles from home, you may be able to save on the “young-driver premium” if they don’t have a vehicle covered at school.
* Mature driver discount. If you’re between 50 and 65 years old, you may be entitled to a mature driver discount.
* Restricted mileage discount. If you drive less than 7,500 miles a year, you may get a restricted mileage discount.
* Carpool discounts. If you carpool, you may be entitled to a 5% to 10% discount.
* AARP membership and other age-related discounts.
* Profession-related discounts.

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